Tarhuna wa Msalata District

Not all resources and items needed at the city could be obtained locally and from an early date Leptis Magna imported artefacts and other goods from through the Mediterranean.

Both these pioneers gave a summary description of some ancient sites on the plateau, which attracted attention of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s travellers and scholars.

At the same time (1949-51) Oates carried out much comprehensive archaeological survey in the area over some 300 square kilometres around Gas red-Daun at the eastern part of the Tarhuna Plateau.

However, the Oates’ sites consist for the most part of varying size of farms associated with their water control and supply works, which represent the key to their regional specialization.

Maltese exile: In 1551, after the order of Suleiman I, Dragut, a prominent Turkish corsair, conquered Gozo and enslaved all 5,000-6,000 of its inhabitants, bringing them to Tarhuna.