The Old Forum represents the oldest quarters of Leptis Magna, dating back to the 7th century BCE with the establishment of a Punic town here.
Still, all prominent structures here are far younger, belonging to Roman times around year 0. The only section of Punic origins visibly touching the surface of the earth, lies to the north-east and have barely been excavated.
Most buildings here are temples of Roman religion. When Leptis Magna became a Christian town, the temples were not converted into churches, rather it was the Civil Basilica to the southeast and largest building that was rebuilt into a church. In the centre of the area, there is baptistry, shaped like a cross.
