IFAO

Excavated since 2009, the thermal baths of Taposiris Magna were built in the second half of the 5th century and were in use until the end of the 7th-beginning of the 8th century. This building, remarkably well preserved, is part of a thermal baths complex in the Mareotis area with which it shares most of the characteristic features. Its interest lies in two main points: it is one of the few facilities of the Mareotis area that is well documented and dated. More importantly, it underwent some huge renovation works during the Byzantine-Arabic transition period. As such, it is a valuable testimony of the strong vitality of the Roman-Byzantine thermal traditions despite the political change. The study of the last stage, dated back to the middle of the 7th century, shows that the changes in the techniques and arrangements which can be observed are connected to the internal changes in the Byzantine societies, that is to say before the Arab and Muslim Conquest.