Libya's Awjilah, a city as old as history

(23 Mar 2020) LEAD IN:
The ancient ruins of the Libyan city of Awjilah tell stories from past civilisations.
The oasis city in northeastern Libya carries tales dating back to 450 BC.
STORY-LINE:
This is the Alatig mosque, one of the oldest in North Africa, nestled in the heart of the ancient city of Awjilah.
The Islamic heritage monument was built in the 12th century at the beginning of the Islamic conquest in Africa.
But Awjilah is much older than that.
Through its narrow pathways, people can go back in time, thousands and thousands of years.
"The old city of Awjilah is a historical city, its history is certainly ancient," says al-Senussi Abdullah, the director of the Awjilah Heritage Society.
"Prehistoric historians talked about it, the historian Herodotus mentioned it in 450 BC," he adds.
Abdullah says Awjilah can even be found in Egyptian scripture dating some 5,000 years.
Throughout time, the city preserved its original name.
It lies on the banks of a large oasis in the depths of the Sahara Desert, 400 km (248.5 miles) southwest of the city of Benghazi.
Awjilah is famous for its cone-shaped domes, and mud-brick and limestone homes.
But its old buildings were mostly demolished.
"Then the residents built on the ruins of the old buildings," Abdullah says.
Only 65 homes and some pathways are still intact, according to Abdullah.
Some of these houses are now being used as exhibitions for tourists, displaying ancient tools and surviving belongings of people who lived in Awjilah in the past.
Since 2004, multiple restorations were carried out in Awjilah, starting with the old city.
In 2010, the Alatig mosque was restored and the latest restoration in 2018, focused on another part of the old city.
In 2006, Awjilah attracted thousands of tourists who came to watch the sky by the oasis during an eclipse.
Abdullah Salem, one of the city's tribal leaders, says Awjilah became a centre of religious and social events after 2006.
But Salem says the ruins need maintenance and many sites have yet to be restored.
"I am appealing to the Libyan government to consider the issue of restoring this city and to install a large fence for the archaeological sites," adds Salem.
The security situation in Libya has prevented tourists from visiting the city.
But its mosque still receives local visitors, mainly students from schools, institutes and universities.
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STORY-LINE: This is the Alatig mosque, one of the oldest in North Africa, nestled in the heart of the ancient city of Awjilah. The Islamic heritage monument was built in the 12th century at the beginning of the Islamic conquest in Africa. But Awjilah is much older than that. Through its narrow pathways, people can go back in time, thousands and thousands of years. "The old city of Awjilah is a historical city, its history is certainly ancient," says al-Senussi Abdullah, the director of the Awjilah Heritage Society. "Prehistoric historians talked about it, the historian Herodotus mentioned it in 450 BC," he adds. Abdullah says Awjilah can even be found in Egyptian scripture dating some 5,000 years. Throughout time, the city preserved its original name. It lies on the banks of a large oasis in the depths of the Sahara Desert, 400 km (248.5 miles) southwest of the city of Benghazi. Awjilah is famous for its cone-shaped domes, and mud-brick and limestone homes. But its old buildings were mostly demolished. "Then the residents built on the ruins of the old buildings," Abdullah says. Only 65 homes and some pathways are still intact, according to Abdullah. Some of these houses are now being used as exhibitions for tourists, displaying ancient tools and surviving belongings of people who lived in Awjilah in the past. Since 2004, multiple restorations were carried out in Awjilah, starting with the old city. In 2010, the Alatig mosque was restored and the latest restoration in 2018, focused on another part of the old city. In 2006, Awjilah attracted thousands of tourists who came to watch the sky by the oasis during an eclipse. Abdullah Salem, one of the city's tribal leaders, says Awjilah became a centre of religious and social events after 2006. But Salem says the ruins need maintenance and many sites have yet to be restored. "I am appealing to the Libyan government to consider the issue of restoring this city and to install a large fence for the archaeological sites," adds Salem. The security situation in Libya has prevented tourists from visiting the city. But its mosque still receives local visitors, mainly students from schools, institutes and universities.

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