Archaeologists in Tunisia have uncovered a 2,300-year-old marble mask at the ancient Tophet site in Carthage, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced. The rare discovery sheds new light on Punic religious practices and artistic expression during the city’s peak.
The mask, carved from fine marble, was found during excavation work at the temple complex dedicated to the god Baal Hammon and the goddess Tanit—two central deities of ancient Carthage. It portrays a woman with an elaborate Phoenician-style hairstyle, a hallmark of cultural and artistic influence that originated in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Experts date the artifact to the late 4th century BC and describe it as one of the most distinctive findings ever made at the site.
A glimpse into Punic rituals and traditions
According to the Ministry of Culture, the mask offers valuable insight into the rituals once performed at the Carthaginian sanctuary. The depiction of a woman with a Phoenician coiffure suggests a connection to religious offerings and elite traditions within Punic society.
Archaeologists believe the mask was likely a votive gift, or ex-voto, offered to the gods to seek favor or give thanks for answered prayers.
Mirad qué maravilla. De las ruinas de la Cartago púnica acaba de emerger una preciosa máscara de mármol, un depósito votivo a los dioses Baal Hammon y Tanit. Con su peinado fenicio y su dulce expresión pervive así lo que no pudieron destruir las legiones romanas: su legado 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/JHiqXez7BO
— César Dorado (@CDorado75) November 9, 2025
Professor Imed Ben Jerbania, who leads the excavation team from Tunisia’s National Heritage Institute (INP), said material analysis is now underway to determine the marble’s source and identify traces of ancient paint, known as polychromy. Early studies suggest that the Eastern Mediterranean played a significant role, reinforcing Carthage’s position as a hub of cultural and commercial exchange across the ancient world.
Excavations part of a long-term heritage program
The discovery is part of a four-year archaeological program launched in March 2024 through a collaboration between the National Heritage Institute and the Agency for Heritage Promotion and Cultural Development (AMVPPC). The joint project aims to revive excavations at the Tophet sanctuary and create new scientific and tourism documentation to promote Tunisia’s archaeological heritage.
The research team includes archaeologists Imed Ben Jerbania, Nesrine Medahi, and Kaouther Jendoubi, specialists in iconography and votive art. Their efforts continue a sequence of significant findings at the site. In 2014, archaeologists uncovered a collection of previously unpublished Punic inscriptions, and in 2023, nine gold coins from the 3rd century BC were found, linked to Carthaginian aristocratic families.
Discovery strengthens Tunisia’s archaeological standing
The 2025 marble mask discovery adds an artistic and ritual dimension to this growing record. Together, these finds reveal the extraordinary depth of Carthage’s archaeological landscape and strengthen Tunisia’s position as one of the Mediterranean’s most important centers for historical research.
The Ministry of Culture described the mask as a unique testimony to the richness of Punic-Carthaginian heritage. Officials said the artifact will undergo complete restoration and study before being displayed at the Carthage Museum. The ministry added that the exhibition will promote tourism and cultural education, allowing visitors to experience Tunisia’s ancient history up close.
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