Dr Karol Kłodziński from the Faculty of History of the University of Gdańsk has become a specialist member of the Committee on Ancient Culture Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences for the term 2021-2024. For more than two years, the scientist has participated in archaeological works and discoveries in North Africa.

In addition to dr Karol Klodzinski, the following were also appointed as specialists: dr hab. Jan Kwapisz (University of Warsaw), dr hab. Jan Kucharski (University of Śląsk) and dr Andrzej Kompa (University of Łódź).

The Committee on Ancient Culture Sciences of PAN has been active for nearly 70 years as one of the eleven scientific committees established at Faculty I. It serves as an advisory and consultative body. The Committee consists of national members of PAN, outstanding academics representing universities, establishments of PAN and scientific and research institutes.

Dr Karol Kłodziński's research is concerned with the history of ancient Rome and Roman public law, especially the topics of the administration of the early Roman Empire, Latin epigraphy and the history of Roman North Africa. Since 2019, he has been a member of the international research group of the Tunisian-Polish Archaeological Mission in Musti, co-organised by the Institut National du Patrimoine and the University of Warsaw. He is responsible for the study of Latin inscriptions.

Polish scientists have returned to archaeological sites in Tunisia after 40 years. Since 2019, Polish-Tunisian archaeological research has been ongoing on the ruins of the city of Musti, founded after the fall of Carthage by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. The site of the former Roman city is located about 150 km from today's capital Tunis and covers an area of 34 ha.

The first season of work on an area of several hectares proved very promising. Over 150 Latin inscriptions have been discovered, mainly tombstones, but also concerning various aspects of religious, public or economic life. Based on them, dr Karol Kłodziński, a historian and epigraphist, draws information on several centuries of the city's history, the origin of its inhabitants, social groups or existing economic relations. - 'This is a real treasure,' says Dr Karol Kłodziński about the archaeological site in Musti. - 'These are traces of the life of an extraordinary and rich region, which was the granary of Rome. Ships with grain for Italy sailed from here,' he adds.

During the work, in an area of several hectares, the remains of earlier local buildings of the Libyan-Numidian population were discovered under a layer of earth. The site was later settled by settlers from Italy. The Musti region was inhabited until the 12th century. Further archaeological works with the participation of Polish scientists will continue.