Tunisia: Major Archeological Discovery Sheds Light on Punic Life in 4th century

Tunisia: Major Archeological Discovery of Necropolis in Sousse Sheds Light on Punic Life in The 4th century BC

Tunisia Online (Tunis)

28 January 2008
Posted to the web 29 January 2008

Tunis

A Punic necropolis dating back to the 4th-5th century BC has been recently discovered at the museum of Sousse during extension and refurbishing works that started last May and are due to be completed by the end of the current year.

The works which are in being carried out in a museum characterized by a rich collection of mosaics will cost 2 million dinars.

A team of specialists from the National Heritage Institute (INP) is currently working on documents relative to this major historical discovery .

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This discovery comes following last year's discovery of a roman burial vault located near the roman catacombs in the district of Bouhsina in Sousse .

The vault which is being restored by the INP, contains 2 tombs with the remains of some 13 members of the same family buried together along with sacred ceramic vessels.

Most of the Punic culture was destroyed as a result of the Punic wars between Rome and Carthage . This is why specialists are hoping that this discovery might shed a precious light on an important part of Tunisia 's history.

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