Mark mask of Phoenician woman found in Carthage

"A mask of a woman wearing a Phoenician hairstyle that is unique on the archaeological record has been discovered at the Tophet cemetery and sanctuary in the suburbs of Carthage in Tunisia. The sculpture dates to the late 4th century B.C. and is believed to have been a votive offering. The Tophet of Carthage was open-air sacred precinct that was in use as a cemetery and temple from the 8th to the 2nd century B.C."

"Previous votive offerings found at Tophet were figurines made of clay or simple stones with inscribed dedications. This is the first marble votive of such refinement and sophistication found at the site, and it suggests that it was dedicated to the deities of the sanctuary by an aristocratic person or family petitioning the gods or expressing gratitude with the highest quality offering."

A small marble mask of a woman with a Phoenician hairstyle unique in the archaeological record was discovered at the Tophet cemetery and sanctuary near Carthage, Tunisia. The sculpture dates to the late 4th century B.C. and was likely a votive offering dedicated in the temple of Baal Hammon and Tanit. The Tophet served as an open-air sacred precinct and cemetery from the 8th to the 2nd century B.C., with numerous burials of children and animals and ritual materials linked to Tanit and Baal Hammon. The head was carved from fine white marble, shows a calm visage, delicate lips and a coiffure paralleled in eastern Phoenician temples, and retains traces of polychromy. Scientific analysis of the marble and pigments will determine whether the object was locally produced under Levantine influence or imported from the eastern Mediterranean, and the head will be displayed at the Carthage Museum after conservation.

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