Kerkouane, Archaeological site in Cape Bon, Tunisia.
Kerkouane is an archaeological site on a rocky headland along the Mediterranean coast, featuring residential buildings, public baths, and water infrastructure. Preserved streets and squares reveal the original urban design, with houses displaying traces of colored clay finishes on their walls.
The settlement began in the 4th century BC and was destroyed around the 2nd century BC during conflicts between Rome and Carthage. This period of centuries saw the city develop and then fall to warfare.
The necropolis displays burial methods through tombs marked with red ochre, revealing how people honored their dead and organized spiritual ceremonies. These practices shaped daily life and remain visible in the decorated tombs scattered across the site.
The site is best explored on foot, walking through preserved streets and between the ruins. Visitors should prepare for sunny and windy conditions and wear sturdy shoes, as the terrain is rocky and uneven.
It is the only known complete Punic city that survived without Roman reconstruction, preserving its original architecture intact. This rarity offers a genuine glimpse into how such settlements actually looked before later modifications.
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