Archaeological Artifacts Returned to Tunisia from Canada

A collection of 210 archaeological artifacts originating from the archaeological site of Carthage has been returned to Tunisia by the Canadian archaeological mission, announced the National Institute of Heritage (INP) on Monday.

Operation Details

The operation, led by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, was successfully completed on May 23, 2026, in coordination with Professor Jeremy Rossiter, director of the Canadian mission, according to the INP's official statement on its social media platform. The recovered collection consists of 105 copper coins and 105 fragments of pottery lamps.

Background

These artifacts were temporarily exported in the 1990s as part of the international archaeological campaigns conducted by UNESCO on the Carthage site. They were unearthed during scientific excavations conducted by the Canadian team between 1994 and 1999.

Return Process

Upon arrival in the country, the objects were taken in charge by the customs services at Tunis-Carthage International Airport before being transferred and secured in the conservation depots of the Carthage archaeological site, as explained by the INP.

Significance

According to reports from the UNESCO International Campaign for the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage and academic publications from the University of Alberta (Canada), these objects document the Late Antiquity period in North Africa. The oil lamp fragments correspond to the production of African clear glazed ceramics (4th-7th centuries), characterized by Christian and geometric motifs.

The copper coins, identified as nummi (singular: nummus), represent the small bronze or copper coins used for everyday transactions during the late Roman Empire, the Vandalic and Byzantine periods (4th-7th centuries). Unlike the solidus (the gold coin of the rich and taxes), the nummus was used to purchase bread, vegetables, or oil at the market.

Research Implications

The University of Alberta's research highlights that these coins, minted by the official atelier of Carthage, are used by archaeologists as chronological markers to date the evolution of urban quarters.

National Strategy

This restitution is part of the national strategy led by the INP to repatriate Tunisian cultural assets subject to temporary export conventions abroad.

UNESCO's Efforts

This initiative coincides with UNESCO's strengthened application of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The organization has established new guidelines for harmonizing bilateral return procedures between member states and international academic institutions.