The dolmenic phenomenon in Tunisia. A case study in the necropolis near Henchir Mided (Governorship of Siliana): the Dolmen MI10

As part of the interdisciplinary project ‘History of the prehistoric and proto-historic landscapes in the Tunisian High Tell’, during the years 2002––2005, the Interdepartmental Centre for Mediterranean Prehistory and Proto-History of the University of Cagliari, in collaboration with the Institut National du Patrimoine de la République Tunisienne, carried out a series of searches in the territory of the district of Makthar and Henchir Mided, about 10 kilometers from Makthar (administrative region of Siliana). The searches were directed by G. Tanda and M. Ghaki, with the collaboration of the author of this work. We want to present here a part of this investigation, with an analysis of the megalithic necropolis of Henchir Mided, comprising 292 dolmens. We also introduce the archaeological excavation results of dolmen MI10. The excavation of this dolmen has evidenced an interesting stratigraphic situation and has allowed us to reconstruct several phases of use, from the proto-historic age to the Byzantine re-use. These data allow us some chronological and cultural considerations about the necropolis of Henchir Mided and, in general, about Tunisian megalithism.