Carthage, Ancient Mediterranean city-state in Gulf of Tunis, Tunisia
Carthage was an ancient Mediterranean settlement on the coast of present-day Tunisia, with its remains stretching across a promontory overlooking the Gulf of Tunis. The archaeological zones include two artificial harbor basins, remnants of several temple complexes, residential quarters, and a large burial ground on the hillside.
Phoenician sailors established the settlement in the 9th century BCE and developed it into a trading center over several centuries. Rome destroyed the site in 146 BCE after prolonged conflicts and later built a new colony on the same ground.
Today, school groups and families come to walk through the ruins and see traces of early building methods, while local researchers continue to study fragments from temples and homes. On certain days, visitors gather near the harbor structures where objects from Phoenician and Roman periods are displayed together.
The archaeological park opens daily in the morning and closes in the late afternoon, with the site covering a large area that includes uneven terrain. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and plan enough time to reach several separate zones on foot.
The burial ground known as the Tophet holds thousands of urns containing remains that reveal specific funeral customs practiced in the settlement. Archaeologists have also uncovered stone markers and votive offerings buried alongside the urns in multiple layers.
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