I materiali della ricognizione archeologica nell 'area della Maalga: analisi preliminare

This note contains a few preliminary observations made on the materials collected during the archaeological surveys in the Maalga area, which are currently stored in Carthage's National Museum, on the Byrsa hill. The intensive survey contemplated the counting and selective collection of the surface fragments; special attention was given to diagnostic artifacts, but the documentation concerning each class of materials that were present was also considered. The archaeological sites, characterized by a concentration of materials whose limits were well defined and identifiable with respect to the surrounding terrain (at least one fragment per square meter) or by the presence of legible structures, were studied in special detail. Although the area was never actually subdivided into squares, in some cases several of the site's sectors were identified in which the material was collected separately from the others. The differences among the sectors were determined on a case by case basis according to different visibility factors or different amounts and types of materials present. The first goal of the collection of artifacts on the field was to determine the period they were from and to attempt to interpret the sites according to the types of materials that were present. In order to achieve these goals, the data's preliminary analysis contemplated the fragments' subdivision into three major periods - Punic, Roman and medieval - which were further subdivided according to class and type (fine ceramic, amphorae, common ceramic, metals, etc.). The fragments were counted and recorded in the material files; when necessary, annotations were made in order to highlight the most significant artifacts. The quantitative indications were included under the appropriate items in the survey files, while the especially important materials were indicated in the descriptive field. The cataloguing, performed during the archaeological surveys, enabled us to make a few general considerations that are illustrated below. The first consideration concerns the incidence of individual classes of materials on the total amount of collected fragments. The analysis clearly shows that fine ceramics are markedly more abundant, accounting for 48% of the artifacts found in the area. Although this figure is surely influenced by the fact that fine ceramics, as a diagnostic element, have never been overlooked during the collection of artifacts, the high concentration of painted vases of good quality, sometimes imported from central and southern Italy, indicates a high standard of living in the Maalga area's settlements. The amphorae too are well documented (18%), from the Hellenistic to the late imperial periods. The high concentration of containers used to transport wine, originating from Italy and other parts of the Mediterranean and of Punic- and African-made amphorae used for exporting local products attests to the area's agricultural and commercial vitality until late antiquity. As for building materials (4%), present especially on sites of homes, mosaic fragments, wall plasters and sculpted marble were frequently found. These artifacts, although insufficient for reconstructing rooms and decorative motifs, anyhow indicate the high standards of city dwellings and rustic villas especially in Roman times. Finally, some areas displayed concentrations of metallic debris that, together with occasional finds of furnace waste materials, may suggest the presence of productive structures. As mentioned earlier, an early organization of ceramic fragments included in the materials files contemplated their subdivision into three main time periods: Punic, Roman and medieval. The Punic artifacts (1%) consist mostly of scarce fragments of common ceramics and of a few walls decorated w