In ancient times, Meninx was the island’s main settlement and one of the most important centres for the production of purple throughout the Mediterranean. In order to gain insight into the urban structure of the city with a thriving economy during the Roman imperial era, in October 2015 a large area in the centre of the city was investigated employing magnetometer prospection.

For the first time, these examinations rendered a coherent picture of the harbour metropolis’ extensive central area during the Roman imperial era. On that basis, starting in the fall of 2017, the city’s history will be investigated, from the Punic period until Late Antiquity: this will include the interaction of stratigraphic excavations, geophysical prospections and underwater archaeological investigations.