Kerkouane City: "Punicity" At Its Finest

The Carthaginian Metropolis That Was Never Rebuilt By The Romans

Credit: Chedi Tanabene | Facebook - Instagram - X

Situated at the precipice of Cape Bon, overlooking the sea, the Punic Town of Kerkuane stands as a remarkable testament to Phoenician-Punic urban design. Unlike its counterparts in Carthage, Tyre, or Byblos, Kerkuane has remained untouched by subsequent Roman urbanization; its port, fortifications, residential quarters, commercial establishments, artisan workshops, thoroughfares, plazas, temples, and necropolis persist unchanged since the 3rd century BC.

The discovery of Kerkuane occurred in 1952, revealing traces dating back to the 6th century BC, with extant ruins from the late 4th to the first half of the 3rd century BC, showcasing an intricate urban layout.

The UNESCO recognition of Kerkouane's universal value, leading to its inclusion in the World Heritage List in 1985, underscores its significance. Notably, the Archaeological Atlas of Tunisia, published in Paris in 1893, made note of a "significant ancient settlement perched upon a cliff" adjacent to the small Arab township of Kerkouane, yet formal investigation of the site did not commence until 1952.