Chemtou Ruins

Chemtou is an archaeological site in northwestern Tunisia, the location of the ancient city of Simitthus and a major source of Numidian marble in antiquity. The site is best known for its extensive Roman-era quarries and associated urban remains.

Visitors can see exposed quarry faces, channels and cutting marks along with substantial ruins from the town that processed and exported marble across the Roman Mediterranean. An on-site museum displays artifacts recovered from the site and explains the role of the quarries in the ancient economy.

The site lies in Jendouba Governorate in northwest Tunisia, near the modern town of Chemtou and accessible from regional roads connecting to larger urban centres.

• Marble quarries: The site preserves large open quarries of Numidian marble, historically exported and used throughout the Roman world.
• Museum: An on-site museum presents finds from the excavations and explains the ancient stone-working techniques used at the site.

What to See#

• Roman quarry: An extensive Roman-era marble quarry complex where Numidian marble was extracted and worked; quarry faces and channels are visible on site.
• Chemtou Museum: A museum on-site presenting artifacts and context for the archaeological remains, including stone-working tools and displays about the local marble industry.

Chemtou is in northwestern Tunisia (Jendouba Governorate); access is typically by road from nearby towns such as Jendouba. Local signage and guides facilitate site visits.

• Seek a local guide to understand the Roman ruins and the ancient quarries - signage on site can be limited.
• Wear sun protection; the museum or information point in nearby towns will help interpret mosaics and architectural fragments.