Chemtou Museum
| متحف شمتو الاثري | |
 Roman mill race to a horizontal water turbine | |
| Location | Chemtou, Tunisia |
|---|---|
| Type | Archaeology museum |
| Website | chimtou.com |
The Chemtou Museum is a Tunisian archaeological museum, located in Chemtou.
This museum of modern design is a collaboration between archaeologists of the Tunisian National Heritage Institute and the German Archaeological Institute offices located in Rome, Italy. It has the distinction of being located in the area of the ancient Roman city of Simmithu, near the city's marble quarry, in what was the Roman province of Numidia.
Marble quarries
The exploitation of marble began on site in the 2nd century and was operated by the Roman emperors. The location of the area, not far from the Medjerda River, allowed for mass production for export.
The museum presents the archaeological discoveries made nearby. Among the remains exposed, include sandstone green schist (dated from the 3rd century BC). A tiara has also been excavated belonging to the royal family at Numidian. In addition, there is the restored façade of a religious monument on a hill nearby.
A series of Roman mill races to horizontal water turbines have also been discovered showing that part of activities at the site had been mechanised.
See also
- Culture of Tunisia
- List of archaeological sites by continent and age
- List of archaeological sites by country
- List of museums in Tunisia
- Roman technology
References
- Aïcha, Ben Abed, Carthage. Capitale de l'Africa, Connaissance des arts, hors-série Carthage n°69, 1995, p. 28.
External links
- chimtou.com, museum's official website
- Musée de Chemtou at l'Institut national du patrimoine (in French)
Coordinates: 36°29′23″N 8°34′37″E / 36.48972°N 8.57694°E