Makthar's history mirrors that of Tunisia, with the Numidians, Punics, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines and finally Arabs inhabiting the site from 200 BC to the 11C, when the town was destroyed by the Hilalians. The interesting finds excavated on the site and exhibited in its museum bear witness to these different periods and civilisations. The Arch of Trajan (116 AD) and the Great Baths of the southeast (c 200 AD) are the highlights of the site.