Tunis — The 6 th edition of the international colloquium on the history of Tunisian steppes will be jointly organized by the Agency for the promotion of heritage and the regional committee for the preservation of heritage of the Kasserine governorate. The event will take place in the town of Sbeitla , formerly known during the Byzantine empire, as Sufetula.

A number of historians, archaeologists, experts and university professors from Tunisia and France, (universities of Montpellier and Paris IV, La Sorbonne), will take part in the event, which will extend from May 14 to 17,2008 .

The program will include several presentations on the 'Neolithic aspect of the high steppes , with special emphasis on Ain Kouka', the 'image of the gods and of graves in African funerary carminas', 'spectacles and leisure in Byzacena', as well as 'a spatial study of and a cultural interpretation of capsian occupation in central Tunisia '. Other presentations will focus on ' religious beliefs and ways of life' , and 'the recovery of the dedication of the Althiburos capitol'.

A rich program which is expected to shed light on an important part of Tunisia 's history during the Byzantine empire.