Abstract
With Roman domination of Africa, olive-growing underwent a major expansion due to Italian investment in the conquered provinces and increased exports, particularly to Italy. The region
the Haut-Tell region in central Tunisia is characterized by a high density of oil presses and a concentration of the largest and most technologically advanced facilities. At Henchir El Begar, oil mills numbering up to twelve were in operation during the 4th century AD. From the5th century onwards, olive oil
olive oil lost ground in the West, where it was replaced by animal fats. Production in Africa declined as a result of the recession in the western provinces, the considerable slowdown and disruption of trade, and the arrival of new Germanic peoples whose consumption habits differed from those of the Mediterranean. The large oil mills scattered across the countryside were abandoned and, probably for security reasons, the pressing facilities were moved to the sheltered ramparts of towns such as Thuburbo Maius or Uchi Maius. The economic changes of late Antiquity upset the fragile balance that had allowed olive growing to flourish unprecedentedly during the Roman Empire.
