During archaeological excavations conducted at the temple dedicated to the deities Baal Hammon and Tanit at the site of tophet(a shrine) in ancient Carthage, Tunisia, a marble face, probably a mask, dating back to the late 4th century B.C. was discovered. The find, which occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, represents an important new evidence of the religious and ritual practices of the distant Phoenician city. The find depicts the face of a woman, carved with a Phoenician-inspired hairstyle typical of the cultic iconography associated with the Carthaginian pantheon. According to initial hypotheses formulated by the research team, the face may have been offered as a votive gift to the shrine’s deities.
The find is part of a research and enhancement project launched in 2024 through an agreement between the National Institute of Tunisian Heritage (INP) and the Agency for the Enhancement of Heritage and Cultural Development. The four-year agreement calls for the conduct of excavation campaigns, scientific studies, and redevelopment work on the site, with the aim of returning an area of extraordinary historical importance to the public. As Imed Ben Jarbaniya, professor of archaeological and historical research at the National Heritage Institute, explained, the temple of Baal Hammon and Tanit has returned remarkable results over time. Already in 2014, during previous excavation campaigns, numerous inscriptions in the Carthaginian language had been found that had allowed for a deeper understanding of rituals and religious life in the Punic city.
Another important moment had occurred in 2023, when archaeologists unearthed nine gold coins dating to the mid-3rd century BCE. The finds, attributed to a period of economic prosperity and intense commercial activity, had revealed the existence of a Carthaginian ruling class that frequented the sanctuary. The findings as a whole suggest that the temple was a place frequented by aristocrats and prominent figures in Punic society, who attended by offering precious gifts as a sign of devotion. The discovery of the marble face thus represents a new piece in the reconstruction of cultic practices related to the two main Carthaginian deities. The research team, consisting of Imed Ben Jarbaniya, Nesrine Meddahi and Kawthar Jendoubi, is currently proceeding with the analysis of the materials, the study of the working techniques and the drafting of the final scientific report. The tophet of Carthage, known for findings of votive urns and stelae, continues to yield elements that contribute to a greater understanding of the Punic religious and social world. Each new discovery allows for a more precise delineation of the spiritual dynamics of a civilization that, although it disappeared centuries ago, continues to speak through its artifacts.
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| Ancient Carthage (Tunisia): marble face resurfaces from the temple of Baal Hammon and Tanit |
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