Libya - Archaeological site of Ghirza

Ghirza is a frontier site situated in the pre-desertic region of Tripolitania in Western Libya, about 250 km southeast from the coast. It measures circa 500 m north-east and 300 m south-west (Brogan and Smith 1984). The site consists of a cluster of circa 40 structures ranging from small, one-room buildings to large fortifications, a temple and two burial grounds with richly decorated mausolea made of ashlar. Each necropolis contains a monument whose function is still unknown and that might indicate the two leading families in Ghirza. This concentration of mausolea compared to other pre-desert settlements seems to indicate Ghirza as a privileged centre with significant interactions with bigger coastal settlements.