| The Roman mosaic floor found in Borj El Amri, Manouba governorate, is a major discovery, said researcher at the National Heritage Institute (INP) and scientific officer of archaeological sites in the governorate.
Monia Adili said the vestige was unearthed last September, after long excavations conducted by her team at the archaeological site of «Furnos Minus» in Furna, delegation of Borj El Amri. In a statement to TAP, she stressed the need to preserve this mosaic pending its valorisation in view of the various forms and motifs it contains and which highlight the richness of Roman art. Indeed, on this mosaic floor, were drawn roses, fruits and vegetables, including pepper. According to historians, this plant appeared in Europe by the end of the 15th century and was discovered by explorer and navigator Christopher Columbus during his travels to America. He was the first to bring it to Spain before this crop began to spread throughout Europe. According to the researcher, the illustration of this vegetable on this mosaic, which represents the floor of a kitchen or dining room during the Roman period, suggests that this plant appeared in Roman times and during the presence of the Romans in Tunisia between 146 BC and 431 AD. The pepper illustrations found in this mosaic prompt further reflection on the history of the introduction of this vegetable to North Africa, its origins and varieties, the archaeologist said. According to the same source, further reflection and research on this issue is of great importance as it will help define whether it is indeed pepper or another similar vegetable, trace the process of discovery of this plant, understand the meanings of its illustration and define the benefits of its use during the Roman period. Archaeologist Monia Adili had discovered, during this year, other Roman vestiges in Tebourba and Borj El Amri, which enriched the archaeological and cultural heritage of the governorate of Manouba. (TAP) |
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