Archaeological site of Carthage
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
"The Lady of Carthage" (mosaic from the 6th century). | |
| Location | Tunisia |
| Criteria | (ii) (iii) (vi) |
| Reference | 37 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
| Extensions | 498.08 ha |
| Coordinates | 36°55′N 10°17′E / 36.91°N 10.28°E |
The Archaeological Site of Carthage is a site dispersed in the current city of Carthage (Tunisia) and classified as part of the World Heritage by UNESCO since 1979.
It is dominated by the hill of Byrsa, which was the center of the Punic city. Today, it is distinguished by the massive silhouette of the Acropolium, built at the end of the 19th century on the presumed site of the tomb of King Louis IX (Saint Louis), who died there during the Eighth Crusade. Near the cathedral, opposite this empty tomb whose remains were repatriated to France, are the remains of the most important quarter of the city. Only a few foundations and some fragments of columns remain, but one can gauge the power that emanated from the city at that time: immense dimensions, large spaces, panoramic views, and the organization of the streets.
The rapid development of the modern city, risking the destruction of the remains forever, led prominent Tunisian archaeologists to alert public opinion, and UNESCO launched a vast international campaign between 1972 and 1992 to save Carthage. This turning point was completed with its classification as a World Heritage Site.
This article will only address the current state of the archaeological site, a large number of elements having been lost in ancient or more recent times. The difficulty for visitors now lies in the extreme dispersion of the remains, even though some clusters can be distinguished. For the city and the country, the challenge is more complex: to protect the testimonies of the past while minimizing disruption to the daily life of the population.