Archaeomagnetic data from four Roman sites in Tunisia

Archaeomagnetic analyses on bricks and slag fragments from kilns have been undertaken. The initial aim of the paper was to constraint the age of four Roman sites in Tunisia (Neapolis, Pheradi Majus, Leptiminus and Sullecthum) using either archaeodirections or archaeointensities. However, the archaeomagnetic models appeared to be only proficient using directions. It has been established that the Neapolis' studied kiln was probably active until the early 6th century AD, whereas the kilns investigated in Pheradi Majus were probably active until the middle 5th century AD. Measured archaeointensities point to higher values than those predicted by the models during the whole range of possible ages for the studied sites.

► We investigate archaeomagnetically 4 Roman sites from Tunisia.
► We narrow the probable age of two sites.
► We found archaeointensities inconsistent with model predictions.
► We found hints of high archaeomagnetic field intensities in Tunisia during the first 5 centuries AD.
► Increasing archaeomagnetic information from well-dated sites from Tunisia will improve archaeomagnetic field models.