Discovering Thuburbo Majus, Bulla Regia, Chemtou, Dougga and Kerkouane

First inhabited by the Berbers, then by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, the site grew in importance under the Roman Emperor Augustus, becoming the capital in 27 BC, before declining towards the end of the 3rd century. It wasn't really rediscovered until the 19th century! Thuburbo Majus was brought out of oblivion in 1857 by the excavations of French archaeologist Charles-Joseph Tissot. The site is vast and there are still many treasures to be discovered! The most remarkable discoveries are on display at the Bardo National Museum, including mosaics and the head of a colossal statue of Jupiter.

The site of Bulla Regia has been inhabited since time immemorial, before the Berbers, with a megalithic necropolis and dolmens. In the 3rd century BC, the town came under the influence of Carthage. In 156 BC, it became the capital of a Numidian kingdom, hence its epithet of "royal" (Regia). It came under the direct control of the Romans in 46 BC, before gradually falling into oblivion after the Vandal invasions. The site was rediscovered in the 19th century, but the first excavations did not begin until 1906.

Bulla Regia has preserved houses built on an original plan that reflects the opulence of their owners, with floors decorated with rich mosaics. The motifs of these mosaics have given their nicknames to the most beautiful of these residences. Not to be missed are the Maison de la Chasse, the Maison de la Pêche and the Maison d'Amphitrite.

Backed by a marble quarry, the small town of Chemtou enjoyed fame and prosperity during the Roman Empire. From the hill overlooking the town, marble known as sacred marble was quarried for its unique combination of pink, yellow and green colours. Italy's wealthiest citizens were not shy about commissioning marble columns from Chemtou to adorn their villas.

The city grew rich in this way until the 5th century AD, when it was devastated by the Vandals. However, they did not get their hands on its famous treasure, a clay vase containing no less than 1,648 gold coins! It is on display in the museum adjoining the ancient site.

A Numidian town founded in the 6th century BC, Dougga was influenced by Carthage before becoming an important Roman city at the end of the 1st century AD. Dolmens attest to an even older settlement... Perched on a 571-metre hill, the remains overlook the valley of the Oued Khalled.

The site is vast and very rich, with many of the works found there on display at the Bardo Museum in Tunis. Dougga rapidly lost importance during the Byzantine period, but the site was known and visited by the curious as early as the 17th century. In 1997, the site was included on UNESCO's World Heritage List, but remains surprisingly off the tourist map.

Very little is known about the history of Kerkouane. We haven't found any written sources, everything is based on excavations! Even the name of the site, Kerkouane, has nothing to do with the name of the original city; it was given much later. The city was razed to the ground by the Romans in 310 BC, but the Punic (Phoenician and Carthaginian) remains are unique!

In fact, this Phoenician city, which was abandoned during the First Punic War, was never rebuilt by the Romans (like Carthage, for example), leaving us with the only remains of a Phoenician-Punic city that has survived. Excavations only began in the 1950s, and it wasn't until 1977 that the largest Punic sanctuary in the entire western Mediterranean was unearthed! The site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

Less spectacular than Carthage but just as fascinating, the sites of Thuburbo Majus, Bulla Regia, Chemtou, Dougga and Kerkouane give you the impression of being an archaeologist yourself. The ruins have not yet been fully excavated, and some of them are still full of treasures. What's more, they're not well-known, so they're not touristy or crowded, so you won't be disturbed by the crowds! And the entrance fees are derisory, less than 3 euros.

Thuburbo Majus is the most accessible (apart from Carthage, of course) archaeological site in northern Tunisia, just 1 hour's drive from Tunis. It is home to the ruins of Africa's largest capitol. Its remains can even be seen from the banks of the Oued Miliane, Tunisia's second largest river.

Bulla Regia is notable for its patrician residences adorned with sumptuous mosaic pavements. This is undoubtedly the best example of ancient domestic architecture. All the features of an ancient Roman city can be found here: temples, forum, public baths, theatre, etc.

The ancient site of Chemtou covers more than 80 hectares and includes temples, several thermal baths, a forum, an aqueduct, a theatre, an amphitheatre and housing for quarry workers. The town has been famous for its marble quarries since ancient times.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, Dougga is considered to be "the best preserved small Roman town in North Africa". It is the best-preserved site in Tunisia, still set back from the settlements, whereas Carthage has been overtaken by the urbanisation of Tunis. Cobbled streets still bearing the marks of cartwheels, houses adorned with mosaics and thermal baths form the landscape of this surprisingly well-preserved city. Don't miss the theatre, which dominates the ancient city and surrounding countryside, and the Libyan-Punic mausoleum, inspired by the famous mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kerkouane is the only example of Punic architecture that has not been altered by later civilisations.