Archaeology in Action

What can the organization of buildings and streets in ancient cities tell us about the people who occupied them? This is one of the questions driving research at Motya, a once- powerful city off the coast of western Sicily. A key strategic and economic node for Carthage in the 7th-4th centuries BCE, and one of the very few Punic urban sites that was not covered or destroyed by Greek, Roman, or modern cities, Motya presents a rare opportunity to document Punic urban traditions and identity. Dr. Jason Herrmann discusses the results of collaborative research with colleagues from the University of Palermo that integrates archaeological survey and excavation with advanced digital recording methods to map ancient Motya and explore what the organization of space can tell us about Punic society.