Temporary exhibition
1-5 Mars 2023
The coins are believed to be a small part of a larger find which should have been reported to the Tunisian authorities. Instead, someone attempted to sell them to an antiques dealer in Oslo last year.
Through a collaboration between the Tunisian Embassy in Norway and the Museum of Cultural History, it has been confirmed that the coins originate from a large sea find off the coast of Tunisia. They are now exhibited here in the Historical Museum 1-5 March 2023 before they set off on the long journey home to Tunisia.
Tunisia has a rich cultural heritage, where the material traces of the major Carthaginian Empire are among the most central. Carthage was an important ancient city and the center of a large empire which in its heyday was a strong rival to the Roman Empire. The city had over 100,000 inhabitants, and a large port that housed a fleet of over 200 warships. Carthage and Rome fought three major wars (known as the Punic Wars) from 264 to 146 BCE. Eventually, Carthage was conquered and destroyed. Today there are large areas of ruins where traces of this great city can be seen.
The fight against illicit trade
The Tunisian authorities are increasingly investing in stopping the illicit trade in cultural artefacts. The exhibited objects here in the museum form a small part of the work to preserve Tunisia's cultural heritage.
The Museum of Cultural History works closely with the police, customs, and ministries in this field. International guidelines are based on UNESCO's conventions, and the EU, INTERPOL and national legislation in various countries support the work.
This case shows how important observant antiques dealers, as well as the public, are in the fight against illicit trade in cultural artefacts.
