This research aims to draw a diagnosis, as exhaustive as possible, of the Tunisian mosaic heritag... more This research aims to draw a diagnosis, as exhaustive as possible, of the Tunisian mosaic heritage. Through multiple investigations of sites -some of which are inscribed on the World Heritage List- reserves and museums, (fifty-three different locations) we try to reveal some hidden aspects of an often-unknown iceberg. Similarly, we examine the impact of the conservative/preservative programs and strategies, as well as the methods and practices followed, undertaken from the beginning of the second half of the last century until today, so far to ensure, the longevity, preservation and safeguarding of such a cultural heritage. What exactly are we preserving? A witness of history, a scientific document or simply an element of cultural show? Can we really talk about the existence of a national strategy to preserve such civilizational earnings? The practices of decision-makers, are they really respecting the universal standards and requirements? Moreover, we question the reliability and efficiency of the methods and practices that still organize the inventories, archives, presentation and exposure. Would the norms and the fundamental principles, fixed by universal texts, be unknown! What is the mosaic/document considered as? A beautiful object to see, a flashy presented to the general public! Or an archaeological testimony with significant, historical, artistic, technical and scientific values!
The fight of Aeneas and his family from Troy does not seem to have attracted
the attention of Afr... more The fight of Aeneas and his family from Troy does not seem to have attracted the attention of African mosaicists nor that of their colleges from the entire Roman Empire. Today we only recognize a single artwork, more specifcally, an emblema from Karthago. Except a brief description made by the inventor, J. W. Salomonson in 1965, the scene seems to have escaped the attention of researchers and archeologists.
D’origine préromaine la cité de Mustis, l’actuel Henchir Mest, a constitué pour
longtemps un carr... more D’origine préromaine la cité de Mustis, l’actuel Henchir Mest, a constitué pour longtemps un carrefour, voire une station par laquelle passaient ou convergeaient de nombreuses voies romaines, dont particulièrement celle de Carthage–Theveste. Se trouvant dans le district administratif dit de Numidie proconsulaire, elle a été occupée dès la fin du IIème siècle av -J.C par les vétérans du général romain Marius. Puis sous l’Empire, la physionomie de la cité, son statut juridique, ses institutions et son territoire ont connu certaines évolutions. Contrairement à d’autres cités toutes proches, elle a gardé tout au long de la période romaine son statut de Municipium Iulium Mustitanum, obtenu dès le règne de Tibère. Puis, dès le début du VIème, faisant partie d’un réseau défensif byzantin, elle a continué de jouer un rôle important dans tout le haut tel septentrional, jusqu’au début du moyen âge arabo-islamique.
This research aims to draw a diagnosis, as exhaustive as possible, of the Tunisian mosaic heritag... more This research aims to draw a diagnosis, as exhaustive as possible, of the Tunisian mosaic heritage. Through multiple investigations of sites -some of which are inscribed on the World Heritage List- reserves and museums, (fifty-three different locations) we try to reveal some hidden aspects of an often-unknown iceberg. Similarly, we examine the impact of the conservative/preservative programs and strategies, as well as the methods and practices followed, undertaken from the beginning of the second half of the last century until today, so far to ensure, the longevity, preservation and safeguarding of such a cultural heritage. What exactly are we preserving? A witness of history, a scientific document or simply an element of cultural show? Can we really talk about the existence of a national strategy to preserve such civilizational earnings? The practices of decision-makers, are they really respecting the universal standards and requirements? Moreover, we question the reliability and efficiency of the methods and practices that still organize the inventories, archives, presentation and exposure. Would the norms and the fundamental principles, fixed by universal texts, be unknown! What is the mosaic/document considered as? A beautiful object to see, a flashy presented to the general public! Or an archaeological testimony with significant, historical, artistic, technical and scientific values!
The fight of Aeneas and his family from Troy does not seem to have attracted
the attention of Afr... more The fight of Aeneas and his family from Troy does not seem to have attracted the attention of African mosaicists nor that of their colleges from the entire Roman Empire. Today we only recognize a single artwork, more specifcally, an emblema from Karthago. Except a brief description made by the inventor, J. W. Salomonson in 1965, the scene seems to have escaped the attention of researchers and archeologists.
D’origine préromaine la cité de Mustis, l’actuel Henchir Mest, a constitué pour
longtemps un carr... more D’origine préromaine la cité de Mustis, l’actuel Henchir Mest, a constitué pour longtemps un carrefour, voire une station par laquelle passaient ou convergeaient de nombreuses voies romaines, dont particulièrement celle de Carthage–Theveste. Se trouvant dans le district administratif dit de Numidie proconsulaire, elle a été occupée dès la fin du IIème siècle av -J.C par les vétérans du général romain Marius. Puis sous l’Empire, la physionomie de la cité, son statut juridique, ses institutions et son territoire ont connu certaines évolutions. Contrairement à d’autres cités toutes proches, elle a gardé tout au long de la période romaine son statut de Municipium Iulium Mustitanum, obtenu dès le règne de Tibère. Puis, dès le début du VIème, faisant partie d’un réseau défensif byzantin, elle a continué de jouer un rôle important dans tout le haut tel septentrional, jusqu’au début du moyen âge arabo-islamique.
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Papers by Jamel Hajji
Similarly, we examine the impact of the conservative/preservative programs and strategies, as well as the methods and practices followed, undertaken from the beginning of the second half of the last century until today, so far to ensure, the longevity, preservation and safeguarding of such a cultural heritage. What exactly are we preserving? A witness of history, a scientific document or simply an element of cultural show? Can we really talk about the existence of a national strategy to preserve such civilizational earnings? The practices of decision-makers, are they really respecting the universal standards and requirements?
Moreover, we question the reliability and efficiency of the methods and practices that still organize the inventories, archives, presentation and exposure. Would the norms and the fundamental principles, fixed by universal texts, be unknown! What is the mosaic/document considered as? A beautiful object to see, a flashy presented to the general public! Or an archaeological testimony with significant, historical, artistic, technical and scientific values!
the attention of African mosaicists nor that of their colleges from the entire
Roman Empire. Today we only recognize a single artwork, more specifcally, an
emblema from Karthago. Except a brief description made by the inventor, J. W.
Salomonson in 1965, the scene seems to have escaped the attention of researchers
and archeologists.
Keywords: Karthago, mosaic, Aeneas iconography, scenic composition, semantic reading.
Conference Presentations by Jamel Hajji
longtemps un carrefour, voire une station par laquelle passaient ou convergeaient de nombreuses voies romaines, dont particulièrement celle de Carthage–Theveste. Se trouvant dans le district administratif dit de Numidie proconsulaire, elle a été occupée dès la fin du IIème siècle av -J.C par les vétérans du général romain Marius. Puis sous l’Empire, la physionomie de la cité, son statut juridique, ses institutions et son territoire ont connu certaines évolutions. Contrairement à d’autres cités toutes proches, elle a gardé tout au long de la période romaine son statut de Municipium Iulium Mustitanum, obtenu dès le règne de Tibère. Puis, dès le début du VIème, faisant partie d’un réseau défensif byzantin, elle a continué de jouer un rôle important dans tout le haut tel septentrional, jusqu’au début du
moyen âge arabo-islamique.
Thesis by Jamel Hajji
Similarly, we examine the impact of the conservative/preservative programs and strategies, as well as the methods and practices followed, undertaken from the beginning of the second half of the last century until today, so far to ensure, the longevity, preservation and safeguarding of such a cultural heritage. What exactly are we preserving? A witness of history, a scientific document or simply an element of cultural show? Can we really talk about the existence of a national strategy to preserve such civilizational earnings? The practices of decision-makers, are they really respecting the universal standards and requirements?
Moreover, we question the reliability and efficiency of the methods and practices that still organize the inventories, archives, presentation and exposure. Would the norms and the fundamental principles, fixed by universal texts, be unknown! What is the mosaic/document considered as? A beautiful object to see, a flashy presented to the general public! Or an archaeological testimony with significant, historical, artistic, technical and scientific values!
the attention of African mosaicists nor that of their colleges from the entire
Roman Empire. Today we only recognize a single artwork, more specifcally, an
emblema from Karthago. Except a brief description made by the inventor, J. W.
Salomonson in 1965, the scene seems to have escaped the attention of researchers
and archeologists.
Keywords: Karthago, mosaic, Aeneas iconography, scenic composition, semantic reading.
longtemps un carrefour, voire une station par laquelle passaient ou convergeaient de nombreuses voies romaines, dont particulièrement celle de Carthage–Theveste. Se trouvant dans le district administratif dit de Numidie proconsulaire, elle a été occupée dès la fin du IIème siècle av -J.C par les vétérans du général romain Marius. Puis sous l’Empire, la physionomie de la cité, son statut juridique, ses institutions et son territoire ont connu certaines évolutions. Contrairement à d’autres cités toutes proches, elle a gardé tout au long de la période romaine son statut de Municipium Iulium Mustitanum, obtenu dès le règne de Tibère. Puis, dès le début du VIème, faisant partie d’un réseau défensif byzantin, elle a continué de jouer un rôle important dans tout le haut tel septentrional, jusqu’au début du
moyen âge arabo-islamique.