From historical narrative to archaeological study: What can Arabic sources contribute to the study of ancient monuments?

Abstract

Abstract This article studies the way in which certain Arab authors presented ancient African remains, using three examples (the arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tripoli, the Zaghouan-Carthage aqueduct and the amphitheatre of El-Djem). These testimonies, in addition to being very original within the region, give valuable information, both historically and culturally, including the history of attitudes, on the different periods preceding the arrival of Islam in the region.