Colonial Representations and Carthaginian Archaeology

Summary In spite of the interest generated by P hoenician‐ P unic Archaeology, this area of study has always been underestimated by comparison with C lassical Archaeology. One of the main reasons for this is the persistence of a colonial representation of the ancient M editerranean which assumes Greek culture to be the supreme expression of civilization. Other groups may imitate it through an acculturation process: Hellenization. As we shall see, this representation pervades even the P hoenician‐ P unic history and archaeology university textbooks. Starting with the various reasons leading to this situation, I aim to focus on the interpretation given to the ancient excavations at C arthage and, specifically, to its architectural and urban record, since this was the area of study where the prejudices about the P hoenician‐ P unic culture found an (albeit misunderstood) archaeological proof. I shall argue that the misinterpretation of these excavations is the key to understanding later developments and the general underestimation of P hoenician‐ P unic A rchaeology.