Tunisia

This research program was a cooperative research program between the Institute National du Patrimoine (INP) ), Tunisia, represented by General Director Dr. Adnane Louhichi and RPMNF to accomplish goals of locating and documenting the submerged cultural heritage along the Tunisian coast. The research program was intended to be a multidisciplinary that includes data collection for archaeology, geology, and marine ecology. The first season concentrated on the areas around Zembra Island and the inter-area between the island and Cape Bon. Methodology utilized remote sensing technology, particularly among them multibeam echosounder sonar, sidescan sonar, magnetometer, geologic coring and sediment sampling, a sub-bottom profiler and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). As a result of these operations, INP will build a map of their coastal waters with the location of submerged cultural resources. Additionally, a large amount of geologic and biological data will be acquired. This program of work assists in the management and future study of the sites, the study of geologic processes, and the study of the area’s ecology.

Project Director: Dr. Ouafa Ben Slimane

Partner: Institute National du Patrimonine (INP)

Goal: To map, identify and study the submerged cultural resources along the Tunisian coast.

Project Duration to date: 2013 - 2014