European archaeological mission on Bulla Regia site to explore Christian heritage

The Christian heritage at the archaeological site of Bulla Regia, in the 5th century AD, the diseases of the time, the methods of burial of the dead and the architecture of houses and churches are under study by a group of European researchers, arrived Friday, on the site in the governorate of Jendouba, northwest of Tunisia.

View of Bulla Regia archaeological site [Credit: Pascal Radigue/WikiCommons]

The group of researchers made up of archaeologists, anthropologists and architects from the United Kingdom will carry out the genetic analysis of a sampling of skeletons discovered in the graves in order to identify widespread diseases and life expectancy at the time.

Funeral ceremonies, diet, domestic architecture and all the forms that made up the daily life of the people of the time will be at the heart of the study of these researchers.

The archaeologist and American academic and lecturer at the institute of archaeology in London Corisande Fenwick, also president of the group, announced that the purpose of this research is "to raise the veil on certain aspects of the life of the former inhabitants of Bulla Regia."

In a statement to TAP correspondent agency in Jendouba, the archaeologist spoke of a Tunisian-British research project which seeks "to know the nature of the political, social and cultural life of the first Christian populations to Bulla Regia."

Mohieddine Chawali, archaeologist and director of the Bulla Regia site, declared that the results of this research which regard "the rich heritage of the region, will be exploited by Tunisian and foreign students in history, archaeology and anthropology."

Bulla Regia is a town located north of Jendouba, in the Medjerda valley, about 8 km from Mount R'bia and in the middle of the grain plains which had always aroused the greed of the ancient successive civilisations.

Bulla Regia, which means the beautiful city, was one of the most famous cities in the Carthaginian, Roman and Byzantine period, whose monuments bear witness to this. Created in the 4th century BC, the city was invaded by the Romans in the year 203 BC to become in the year 156 BC capital of the Numidians during the reign of Massinissa, main ally of Rome.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse [September 08, 2017]