Publications
Varias observaciones sobre el yacimiento arqueológico conocido como "Maison des/aux Banquettes" en Susa (Túnez)
Archaeological research on the 'Maison des/aux Banquettes' site in Sousse, Tunisia, reveals critical insights into its unique spatial arrangement and significance within the ancient city of Hadrumetum. Despite being discovered in 1968, this site remains understudied and overlooked, both by the public and authorities, exacerbating its deteriorating condition. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts, as the site is located in the buffer zone of the UNESCO-listed Medina of Sousse. It also underscores the broader threat posed by urban expansion and globalization to the city's archaeological heritage, emphasizing the lack of governmental response to these pressures.
Assessment of residential settlement planning in Medina, based on climate adaptability
Traditional urban morphology in the Medina of Sousse demonstrates remarkable climate adaptability, particularly in promoting natural ventilation, solar gain, and thermal comfort control. The study reveals that grouped houses arranged in linear blocks with courtyards are highly effective in semi-arid climates, reducing heat loss through exterior envelopes while maintaining comfortable indoor and outdoor environments, especially during summer months. This ancient urban planning model serves as a low-energy, low-carbon prototype for sustainable housing solutions. By analyzing design strategies such as daylighting and natural ventilation conditions, researchers provide insights that can guide future urban planners in preserving heritage while optimizing climate responsiveness.
Reconversion du tribunal religieux « Dar Echaraa » dans la médina de Sousse (Tunisie) en un espace culturel contemporain
Dar Echaraa, a 17th-century religious tribunal in the Medina of Sousse, has undergone a remarkable transformation from a decaying judicial site to a thriving contemporary cultural hub. Once abandoned after Tunisia's secularization and legal reforms, this historic monument—characterized by its wide courtyard, ochre-stone walls, and intricate carvings—was restored through UNESCO-backed initiatives involving local and international collaborations. The study assesses the impacts of this requalification on the monument's heritage value and cultural significance. By comparing its former judicial function to its current role as a space for events, seminars, and leisure, the research highlights how architectural conversion has revitalized Dar Echaraa, turning it into a symbol of dynamic heritage preservation and community engagement.
Recherches sur la résurgence du vocabulaire sémitique dans le langage religieux des provinces romaines d'Afrique : le cas du terme moctor
A recent analysis of a Latin inscription from the Medina of Sousse, Tunisia, reveals the resurgence of Semitic religious vocabulary in Roman Africa. The term moctor, identified as an unprecedented clerical function, is traced to the Semitic root KTR/QTR, meaning 'offering incense.' This finding suggests a cultural continuity between Phoenicio-Punic traditions and Roman religious practices in North Africa, particularly in cities with deep Phoenician roots. The study supports broader evidence of Semitic linguistic influence persisting in Roman provincial contexts, underscoring the enduring impact of ancient Near Eastern cults on local religious language.
La ville européenne de Sousse : naissance d’un paysage urbain
French colonial urban planning in Sousse, Tunisia, demonstrated a heightened sensitivity to landscape design compared to other North African cities. This study reveals how the colonizing power intentionally crafted Sousse's European cityscape through meticulous archival analysis and iconographic examination of maps, postcards, architectural plans, and historical photographs. The research identifies three key aspects: the establishment and growth of European cities in North Africa, the distinct characteristics of Sousse's urban landscape, and its symbiotic relationship with the historic medina. By contrasting Sousse with other colonial cities, the study underscores the unique emphasis on visual and spatial aesthetics during French occupation.
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