Letter from Libya [Ressource électronique] : epigraphy and landscape

The article presents a discussion of epigraphic research in Libya, focusing on the information which can be gleaned about historical climate change since ancient times from Roman, Punic, and early Christian inscriptions. The evidence is said to be ambiguous, and the possibility that some floods were caused by the destruction of dams is addressed. The efforts of the 20th century Italian Fascist regime to associate itself with past Roman glories led to the initial excavation of several Roman sites in Libya. The less than professional quality of these Fascist attempts at archaeology is noted.