A stele is a monolithic erect monument, usually flat and bearing inscriptions, symbols, engravings or sculptures of religious or geographical commemorative nature.

The collection of epigraphic steles is very important.

All the epochs of algerian history are represented in Cherchell museum: neo-Punic, Greek and Roman. The Roman period is very rich. The current collection of the museum is a very tiny part of what was discovered at Cherchell. Very interesting and valuable pieces were transferred to France after the independence of the country.

 

 

INSCRIPTION DEALING WITH CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS

 

 

Inscription dealing with Christian symbols
Description: Fragment of stela discovered in the Kaddour property. It is engraved on a plate of marble of violet color, veined with red, on which is an olive tree in the middle of a cruciform anchor, and a dove perched on it. The anchor is on the left of the olive tree. On the right, stands a dove holding a branch in its beak.
Dimensions: Width: 0,15m / Height: 0,17m
Material: white marble
Period: Ancient
Origin: Cherchell, property Kaddour
Method of acquisition: Excavation
Location: Museum Reserve         

      

 

NEOPUNIC INSCRIPTION

Neopunic inscription

Description: This votive stela, of neo-Punic style, is the only one in its type that was discovered in the Cherchell region. Made of sandstone, it is fragmented into four registers: in the top one, is engraved a Punic inscription. In the second register is a person who leads a bull to the altar for sacrifice. In the third one are represented two friezes and in the fourth appears the sign of Tanit.
Dimensions: Width: 0.35m / Height: 0.90m
Material: limestone shell
Period: ancient period, 2nd century BC. J-C (reign of Micipsa, king numide)
Origin: Cherchell (Markadal)
Method of acquisition: Excavation of 1908 by Gauklaire

Location: South pavilion of the museum      

 

 

 

FUNERARY STELE OF THE THREE WOMEN

 

Funerary stele of The three women

 

Description: This stele represents three women, discovered in the property Brugnon, Cherchell, not far from the door of Ténès.

These three women, with their bony and nonchalant appearance, present a rather coarse work, and by the same, perhaps, one of the most amusing. Their clothes break in stiff folds, hard, with marked shadows. Their faces offer large features, wide noses, twisted mouths and threatening eyes. All three seem to wear bonnets.

Dimensions: Width: 0.6m / Height: 0.6m

Material: White marble

Period: Ancient

Provenance: Cherchell

Method of acquisition: Excavation

Location: Museum Reserve

 

 

 

STELE FUNERAIRE DE PRETORIEN

 

Funerary stele of a praetorian

Description: Fragment of a stela of a praetorian discovered in the Cherchell region. On this stele, whose upper side is broken, we can see on the right the bas relief of a personage, and on the left an inscription. The figure in bas-relief represents Aurelius Vincentius. He is standing and seen three quarters under a large arcade supported by twisted columns. He is draped with a large mantle and armed with a spear and an oval-shaped shield.

This text is dated from the last years of the reign of diocletian.

Dimensions: Width: 0.50m / Height: 0.36m

Material: White marble

Period: Ancient

Origin: Cherchell

Method of acquisition: Excavation

Location: Museum Reserve

 

 

 

STELE FUNERAIRE DE PERSONNAGE AVEC OISEAU

Funerary stele of a figure in relief bearing a bird

Stele representing a sculpted relief figure inside a quadrangular niche. This figure holding a bird with the left hand, was discovered in the necropolis located to the east of the city of Cherchell.

Dimensions: Width: 0.20m / Height: 0.30m

Material: White marble

Period: Ancient

Origin: Cherchell

Method of acquisition: Excavation

Location: Museum Reserve

 

INSCRIPTION DEALING WITH CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS

 

 

Inscription dealing with Christian symbols

 

A fragment of inscription bearing Christian symbols. Below is an inscription.
Measurement: width: 0.16m / Height: 0, 1 9m
Material used: White marble
Period: Ancient
Origin: Cherchell, property Kaddour
Method of acquisition: Excavation
Location: Museum Reserve

FUNERAIRE STELE WITH ELOGIUM DE FLORA

Funerary stele with Elogium De Flora

 

The stela is triangular in shape, the upper part has a crescent, below a character holding an apple in his left hand and a bunch of grapes in his right hand.

White marble stela found in 1940 west of the town of Cherchell.

Dimensions: Width: 0.20m / Height: 0.30m

Material: white marble

Origin: Cherchell

Mode and date of acquisition: research in 1940

Period: Ancient

Location: Museum Reserve

HIEROGLYPHIC INSCRIPTIUON ON EGYPTIAN SCULPTURES

 

Hieroglyphic inscription on Egyptian sculptures

 

The base has a perfectly preserved hieroglyphic inscription on its upper surface, placed in a rectangular cartouche with rounded corners. The pedestal has on its upper surface a perfectly preserved hieroglyphic inscription, placed in a rectangular cartouche with rounded corners. This work of art is dated from the 16th centuries before our era according to Paul Gaukler who adds that since the time of Augustus it has attracted the curiosity of the amateurs of antiquities. The perfect work is worthy of being included in the collection of a prince archaeologist who loves beautiful objects such as Juba II. (Paul Gauklar).

Dimensions: Width: 11 cm / Height: 17 cm
Material used : Pierre Noire
Provenance: Cherchell
Method and date of acquisition: Excavation
Period: Egyptian / Ancient

Location: South Museum Pavilion

           

 

INSCRIPTION ARABE DU FORT TURC

 

Arabic inscription of the Turkish fort

 

This arab inscription in relief comes from the entrance to the Turkish fort which commemorates the building which was destroyed in 1860. This is the only rurkish piece discovered in the region bearing an inscription mentioning Aroudj Ben yaqoub one of the brothers of Barbarossa.
Translation of the text :
In the name of God, Good and Merciful
May the peace and blessing of God be upon the Prophet.
This tower of Cherchell set up by Major Mahmoud
Good knight innocent in the succession of the prince obeying the Order of God /
He fights for the love of God, son of Yacob Pellndenma.

This stela is dated between 924/1518
Dimensions: Width 6cm / Height60 cm
Material: white marble Provenance: Cherchell
Method and date of acquisition: Excavation
Period: Turkish
Location: museum reserve