In Henchir Matriya, corresponding to theancient Roman city of Numluli located in the governorate of Béja, Tunisia, a multidisciplinary Italian-Tunisian team is conducting archaeological excavations as part of a collaboration between theInstitut National du Patrimoine and theUniversity of Sassari. The research focuses on the area of the public square and the site’s Byzantine church. In recent weeks, the work has unearthed numerous artifacts, including Roman capitals and columns belonging to the Capitoline Temple, statues of Roman gods with traces of polychromy, candelabra and Byzantine mosaics. The study of the finds and structures that have emerged offers new elements for understanding the urban and religious evolution of Numluli during the Roman and Byzantine eras.
The current campaign follows the first Tunisian-Italian INP-Uniss archaeological mission, completed in 2022. Even then, excavation areas were opened in the forum square, in front of the Capitolium, and in an early Christian basilica on the western edge of the settlement, with important results. Recent research, carried out last September, has allowed these studies to deepen, including the analysis of inscriptions from the Roman city, which is a complementary and relevant line of research for understanding Numluli’s urban and religious history.
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| Excavations at Henchir Matriya: Roman and Byzantine mosaics, columns and statues unearthed in Tunisia |
The author of this article: Noemi Capoccia
Originaria di Lecce, classe 1995, ha conseguito la laurea presso l'Accademia di Belle Arti di Carrara nel 2021. Le sue passioni sono l'arte antica e l'archeologia. Dal 2024 lavora in Finestre sull'Arte.Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
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