Provenance of marble sculptures from the National Museum of Carthage (Tunisia)

The results of a combined minero-petrographic and isotopic study carried out on representative marble sculptures from the Museum of Carthage are presented. Pentelikon source has been identified for nine of the analyzed items, Carrara and Prokonnesos sources have been also identified for three and one items respectively, confirming in some cases previously-made hypothesis. Local Chemtou and Djebel Ichkeul stones present very different petrographic fabrics compared with the most recurrent marbles. The undertaken approach adds value to the descriptions of the studied artifacts and could be extended to other art pieces of this and other museums.

► We investigate the provenance of 14 sculpted artefacts from the Carthage Museum. ► We present the existing published record of 11 artifacts. ► We present the petrographic and isotopic properties of 2 Tunisian crystalline limestones. ► We identify the provenance source of 14 sculpted artefacts from Carthage. ► We corroborate the provenance hypothesis of 5 sculpted artefacts from Carthage.