ANN: "Claiming Ancient Carthage: The Quest for Antiquities in 19th Century Tunisia," Lecture by Ridha Moumni

Lecture sponsored by the Columbia University Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement and the Department of History

Claiming Ancient Carthage: The Quest for Antiquities in 19th Century Tunisia

A talk by Dr. Ridha Moumni, Art Historian, curator;

Fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies and Aga Khan Program Associate at Harvard University

Response by Dr. Avinoam Shalem – Riggio Professor of the History of the Arts of Islam, Columbia University

In the 19th century, ancient Carthage served as a major point of competition between European archaeologists, which led to both French and British governments pursuing a newly revived rivalry fifty years following the Campaign of Egypt. Scholars sent from European capitals helped to enrich the holdings of their national museums in cities such as Paris, London and Copenhagen, among others. As such this practice awakened a new taste for antiquities amongst the local ruling class, who became increasingly aware of the significance and prestige of their ancient cultural heritage.

Free and open to the public Monday, February 17, 6-7:30 PM

Fayerweather 411, Columbia University Department of History