Coastal Houses and their Relationship with the Sea Tipasa Houses as a Model

Abstract

Algeria boasts numerous and significant archaeological sites that vary in topography and climate. These sites mainly consist of remnants and artifacts of residential complexes and cities that were inhabited by humans throughout different historical periods. The coastal cities along the Algerian coast, such as Annaba, Cherchell, and Tipasa, are particularly rich in relics, making them popular tourist destinations for enthusiasts of history, archaeology, and architecture. This research aims to shed light on the houses that have been excavated in these cities during the colonial period. Among these houses are five near the sea, with three situated directly on the coast and two located behind them to the southwest. While their names were mentioned in excavation reports, the information about them is not widely published, except for brief descriptions that provide an incomplete idea about their characteristics. The House of the Frescoes is the only house for which comprehensive information has been published, including plans, sections, and illustrated images of the house and its decorations. Therefore, this research provides a glimpse of this house and its relationship with the sea, including the extent of its openness to the sea, the enjoyment of its inhabitants, and their exploitation of its resources.