 Lying to the north-west of Carthage, Utica is an ancient city founded by the Phoenicians. It is considered to be their first colony, which was founded to promote Phoenician trade. It came under the Punic rule in the 4th century BC and under the Roman Empire earned the status of municipium in 36 BC. Though Utica does not exist any long, but it has several important historical sites to see.
Excavations
The archaeological excavation sites of Utica reveal huge Punic cemetery and Roman relics. The exploration in this region which started in the 18th century carried on to the 19th century. Small part of this region has been discovered. Major part of the region still remains under water-table or marshland particularly the lower town and the harbor. The thick layer of mud is still to be removed to uncover the early settlements of Utica.
House of the Figural Capitals/ Maison des Chapiteaux Historiés
The House of the Figural Capitals or Maison des Chapiteaux Histories in Utica is designed around a two-story courtyard with a series of columns beautified with Corinthian capitals.
House of the Waterfall/ Maison de la Cascade
House of the Waterfall/ Maison de la Cascade is one of the best preserved houses in Utica and is also referred as the House of Treasure/ Maison du Trésor because of the heap of coins found in the house. The entrance to the building is on the north side which passing through the small room takes you to the courtyard which has a series of columns. The centre of the courtyard features a fountain decorated with a mosaic and sundial. A beautiful mosaic-paved pathway leads you to a large dining room which is situated on the west side of the courtyard. You will find the stables in the back-side of the house and there is also an adjoining room to the house, supposedly to be a granary.
Museum
There is a small site museum in Utica which showcases things belonging to Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman times. The museum also features a wooden coffin belonging to the Punic period. Other things of historical importance displayed in the museum are the coins, lamps, pottery works, statues, jewelery, funerary stelae and a large mosaic representing a marine scene.
Punic Cemetery
The Punic Cemetery in Utica which belongs to the 6th century B.C. has largely been obscured by the Roman relics has burial tombs cut from the rock. The Punic Cemetery also has some sarcophagi which have been made out of single block of sandstone and brick or stone-made tombs. At the museum, you can behold the grave goods found in tombs.
The Site
The archaeological sites of Utica feature the ruins of Roman, Greek and classical architecture. You can find the remains of the Roman baths, Roman theaters, the Forum and a Temple on the north-west side of the site. The excavated sites also feature mosaics which are the oldest to be found in Roman Africa. The mosaics are displayed in the Bardo Museum, Tunis, Tunisia. |