Baghaï, also known as Bagaï or Bāghāya, is an archaeological site located in present-day Algeria, in the commune of Baghaï, Khenchela Province. The site has a rich history spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman, Byzantine, and medieval Islamic periods.
History
Traces of prehistoric hominids have been discovered at the site, indicating very ancient occupation. In Roman times, Baghaï was probably originally an indigenous castellum and was already a municipium in the 2nd century. In 162 AD, it was endowed with a council of decurions. The town became the seat of a bishopric as early as 256.
In the 4th and 5th centuries, Baghaï became an important center of Donatism. In 394, a council of 310 Donatist bishops was held there. During Solomon’s campaign in 539-540, the Byzantines found the town deserted. Subsequently, Baghaï became one of the major strongholds in the region under Justinian I.
Baghaï resisted the initial Arab invasion under Oqba ibn Nafi in 683. The town played a significant role in the conflicts between the Kahina (Dihia) and Hassan Ibn Numan around 701. In the 8th and 9th centuries, Bāghāya maintained an Arab-Muslim presence in the region. The town capitulated to the Shiite army of Abū Abd Allāh al-Ahwal in 907.
Baghaï continued to play an important role until the 11th century, resisting various attacks. The town disappeared around 1024 during the invasion of the Banū Hilāl.
In the 12th century, Al-Idrīsī described Baghaï as a large town surrounded by a stone wall, with a fortified but uninhabited suburb.
Archaeological Remains
The most notable remains are those of the Byzantine fortification, probably modified in the Middle Ages:
- An irregular quadrilateral enclosure of 1,172 meters in perimeter, enclosing an area of 8.2 hectares.
- A wall 2.2 meters wide, formed of a double facing in large stone blocks.
- 36 towers, round at the corners and square on the sides.
- Two main gates, flanked by towers, to the west and southeast.
- A “citadel” measuring 70 × 63 meters in the northwest of the enclosure.
- A smaller structure (26 × 26 meters) inside the citadel.
Castle of Dihia
About 3 km from the current town of Baghaï is the presumed site of the Kahina’s (Dihia’s) castle. This site covers 40 hectares, of which only 800 square meters are enclosed by a concrete wall. The site likely corresponds to the original location of the town of Baghaï. Unfortunately, the site suffers from neglect and is exposed to damage caused by looters.
Baghaï, also known as Bagaï or Bāghāya, is an archaeological site located in present-day Algeria, in the commune of Baghaï, Khenchela Province. The site has a rich history spanning from the prehistoric era to the Roman, Byzantine, and medieval Islamic periods.
History
Traces of prehistoric hominids have been discovered at the site, indicating very ancient occupation. In Roman times, Baghaï was probably originally an indigenous castellum and was already a municipium in the 2nd century. In 162 AD, it was endowed with a council of decurions. The town became the seat of a bishopric as early as 256.
In the 4th and 5th centuries, Baghaï became an important center of Donatism. In 394, a council of 310 Donatist bishops was held there. During Solomon’s campaign in 539-540, the Byzantines found the town deserted. Subsequently, Baghaï became one of the major strongholds in the region under Justinian I.
Baghaï resisted the initial Arab invasion under Oqba ibn Nafi in 683. The town played a significant role in the conflicts between the Kahina (Dihia) and Hassan Ibn Numan around 701. In the 8th and 9th centuries, Bāghāya maintained an Arab-Muslim presence in the region. The town capitulated to the Shiite army of Abū Abd Allāh al-Ahwal in 907.
Baghaï continued to play an important role until the 11th century, resisting various attacks. The town disappeared around 1024 during the invasion of the Banū Hilāl.
In the 12th century, Al-Idrīsī described Baghaï as a large town surrounded by a stone wall, with a fortified but uninhabited suburb.
Archaeological Remains
The most notable remains are those of the Byzantine fortification, probably modified in the Middle Ages:
- An irregular quadrilateral enclosure of 1,172 meters in perimeter, enclosing an area of 8.2 hectares.
- A wall 2.2 meters wide, formed of a double facing in large stone blocks.
- 36 towers, round at the corners and square on the sides.
- Two main gates, flanked by towers, to the west and southeast.
- A “citadel” measuring 70 × 63 meters in the northwest of the enclosure.
- A smaller structure (26 × 26 meters) inside the citadel.
Castle of Dihia
About 3 km from the current town of Baghaï is the presumed site of the Kahina’s (Dihia’s) castle. This site covers 40 hectares, of which only 800 square meters are enclosed by a concrete wall. The site likely corresponds to the original location of the town of Baghaï. Unfortunately, the site suffers from neglect and is exposed to damage caused by looters.
