Proud of a Material and Intangible Heritage Spanning Three Millennia
Tunisia has always been described as an "archaeological treasure map," composed of a blend of cultures and civilizations that have marked the country's past and shaped its present. Indeed, any form of cooperation seems necessary, given that our sites and monuments require restoration, maintenance, preservation, and enhancement. This cooperation should listen to the past and bring the stones to life.
A Fruitful Collaborative Effort
Over time, all the excavations and archaeological studies conducted on our ruins and vestiges have revealed the richness of our heritage potential. Without neglecting the contribution of partnerships and cooperation, particularly the Tunisian-French partnership, the exchange of visits and expertise has enabled us to conduct joint exploration studies and carry out projects on our heritage sites and monuments.
For over 70 years, this bilateral cooperation has set a new course, leading to new results. Making an inventory of our archaeological potential or mapping it is no easy task, as it requires in-depth knowledge and high precision, with sufficient means and time for accurate and reliable scientific discoveries. In fact, reconstructing history and bringing the stones and materials to life, in the sense of an updated reading of the national heritage, is essential.
To achieve this, it is necessary to explore prehistory, Punic, Roman, and Islamic periods to understand the past in its complexity and restore the life of people and places, while sharing knowledge and recorded data. This will only have an impact if there is genuine, fruitful collaborative work leading to mutually beneficial partnership agreements.
Teachers, researchers, architects, restorers, conservators, site engineers, and students are also called upon to contribute and maintain professional contacts, with the objective of regularly presenting recent advances in the study of sites and archaeological artifacts, evaluating the contributions of multidisciplinary approaches, and outlining future research perspectives.
The Vitality of a Secular Partnership
The multiplicity of encounters illustrates the vitality of a Tunisian-French partnership that is both secular and marked by mutual trust, scientific rigor, and respect for our common heritage. Therefore, it is essential to take stock of the years to move forward better.
A New Master's Program in Heritage
On previous occasions, the Director-General of the National Heritage Institute stated that excavations conducted at Dougga and Carthage, two UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as other similar joint missions, are the result of well-established Tunisian-French archaeological cooperation.
This cooperation has translated into a shared commitment to preserving and promoting heritage, serving both present and future generations. Moreover, this cooperation is an example of on-the-job training and a real-world test of learning and expertise.
According to him, many Tunisian and French archaeologists have been trained through these projects and theses, and numerous publications and exhibitions have emerged from this fruitful dialogue. Such opportunities undoubtedly add value, helping to exploit our material and intangible heritage effectively.
A Shared Opinion
Beyond discoveries, preservation, and study of thousands of vestiges (temples, basilicas, mosaics, inscriptions, coins, and everyday objects), such cooperative work with the French has shaped a genuine school of archaeological thought, where scientific rigor and cultural openness blend.
Archaeology is a profession that brings soils and stones to life, giving voice to what has been buried, erased, and forgotten since antiquity. "From Carthage to Utica, from Kerkouane to Thapsus and Thyna, from Bulla Regia to Dougga, Sbeïtla, and Haïdra, to name just a few examples, each vestige preserves the echo of disappeared civilizations, silent witnesses to an emblematic past," notes the Agency for the Promotion of Heritage and Cultural Promotion (Amvppc).
This is because "Berbers, Numidians, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, Arabs, and Ottoman Turks have traveled through the land of Tunisia, leaving a multiple legacy and layers of discoveries still to be made. For a long time, our country has been described as a crossroads of civilizations and a rich cultural melting pot of knowledge and memories. Knowing one's heritage in its vastness requires specialized training."
A New Initiative
A new project has been launched in the field of preservation, training, and promotion of heritage in Tunisia. This involves the establishment of a master's program in archaeology and heritage, in partnership with the National Heritage Institute (INP). Since heritage belongs to everyone, this initiative aims to provide the necessary training and expertise to protect and promote Tunisia's rich cultural heritage.
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