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The discovery of a Romano-Punic tomb in the region of Msallata

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2024

Abdulhafid Fadil Elmayer
Abdulhafid Fadil Elmayer*
Affiliation:
Professor of Ancient History, College of Arts, University of Tripoli-Libya
*
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

A mixed Romano-Punic tomb discovered on private property to the west of Msallata contains many small stone chests containing cremated human remains. Some of these chests carry the name of the deceased written in the Latin or neo-Punic alphabet. Besides the stone chests, there are pottery jars containing animal remains. Figurative relief and religious symbols suggest the practice of rituals associated with the Tophet (sanctuary-necropolis) of Carthage. In addition to the stone chests and pottery urns there are many other objects that are typical of the grave goods usually buried with the Phoenician dead: oil lamps, tableware, coins, medals.

ملخص

ملخص

قبر رومانى مختلط اكتشف فى مزرعة خاصة ملك أحد المواطنين فى موقع الشعافيين غرب مسلاته يحتوى على العديد من الصناديق الحجرية التى تحتوى رفاة الموتى وبعض هذه التوابيت يحمل اسم الميت مكتوبا بالحرف اللاتينى أو البونى الجديد. ,إلى جانب هذه الصناديق توجد جرار فخارية تحتوى على بقايا حيوانات .

تشير الرموز التصويرية والدينية إلى ممارسة الطقوس المرتبطة بمقبرة قرطاج .

بالأضافة إلى الصانديق الحججرية والجرار الفخاخرية هناك العديد من الأشياء الأخرى التى تشبه المقتنيات الجنائزية التى يتم دفنها عادة مع الموتى الفينيقيين :

مصابيح الزيت ،أدوات المائدة ،العملات المعدنية والمداليات .

Keywords

hypogaeumMsallatastone chestsamphoraelampsinscriptions
Type
Articles
Information
Libyan Studies , Volume 55 , November 2024 , pp. 75 - 84
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the British Institute for Libyan & Northern African Studies

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