Studies on the Urban History of Meninx (Djerba)

A groundbreaking study on the urban history of Meninx, Djerba's ancient capital and a significant Mediterranean purpur production center, reveals its pivotal role as a maritime hub connecting regional and overregional trade networks. Unlike other North African coastal metropolises, Meninx's economy was entirely focused on marine resources, serving as a critical node between Mediterranean seafaring routes and Saharan inland trade paths. The research, conducted through extensive geophysical surveys and targeted excavations from 2017 to 2018, uncovered rich archaeological evidence spanning from the Punic period (4th century BCE) to late antiquity (7th century CE). Underwater investigations further elucidated the city's harbor infrastructure, providing unprecedented insights into its maritime significance. This synthesis underscores Meninx's unique urban development and economic specialization.

Ritter, S., Ben Tahar, S., Aoudi, M., Apatsidis, M., Arndt, R. C., Assirelli, F., Beck, D. M., Dinies, M., Fassbinder, J. W. E., Fiederling, M., Gabler, L., Gadhoum, A., Kerschbaum, S., Köppe, A., Kovacs, M., Kranz, S., Lamare, N., Lehnert, C., Lipps, J., … Wouters, W. (2022). Studies on the Urban History of Meninx (Djerba). Deutsches Archäologisches Institut. https://doi.org/10.34780/76FU-8PEB