15 647 artefacts were recovered

As part of the efforts made by the National Heritage Institute to inventory the archaeological objects in its Archaeological reserves and museums, as well as those temporarily exported under the scientific partnership agreements between the National Heritage Institute and international European and American universities (America, Italy, France, Canada, etc.). …), on 21 April 2025, 11,795 artefacts were recovered from the University of Georgia that had been temporarily exported for study and research since 1990, including 3,460 bronzes coins and other artefacts that were only recovered last year, including
* 2,715 pieces of ivory and human animal bones
* 2,825 glass artefacts
* Other ceramic and metal artefacts…
It should be noted that this effort was launched at the beginning of 2024, in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Tunisian Embassy in Washington and the Tunisian Customs in order to be able to recover them in the best possible conditions.

On Thursday 24 April 2025, the INP recovered 3,852 coins dating from the Roman period and Late Antiquity. The coins were discovered during excavations by the American mission at the Kanissiya well on the Carthage archaeological site between 1990 and 1993. The recovered pieces were kept safe in the armoured cupboard of the Bardo National Museum.

The National Heritage Institute is continuing its efforts to recover all Tunisian artefacts that were temporarily exported in previous years.

It should be noted that during the period 1980-1990, within the framework of the project for the protection of the Carthage site under the auspices of UNESCO, 12 European and American archaeological missions (America, Italy, France, Canada, etc.) participated in archaeological excavations. Within this framework, the National Heritage Institute authorised the temporary export of artefacts and artefacts resulting from the excavations for study outside Tunisia, provided that they are subsequently recovered and remain the property of the Tunisian State.