Does Geology Meet Archaeology? New Vision and Opportunity for the Development of Geotourism: a Case Study of the Archaeo-Metamorphic-Geosite of Chemtou/Simitthus (Northwest Tunisia, North Africa)

The inventory and assessment of national geosites play a crucial role in the preservation and enhancement of a country’s geological heritage. Our focus is on the Chemtou geosite, located in Tunisia’s northwestern Hairech Massif in North Africa. This unique site showcases metamorphic marble formations resulting from the convergence of African and Eurasian tectonic plates during the Eocene-Miocene era. It boasts two distinct marble types, each featuring intricate veining and a striking array of colors, including pink, salmon, yellow, gray, and green. Historically, these marbles were used both locally and throughout the Mediterranean for construction and ornamental purposes. The study uses SWOT and TOWS matrix analyses to emphasize Chemtou’s geological and archaeological potential for geotourism. It identifies key strategies for site optimization through a ranking methodology, with a focus on geology, sustainability, and tourism as primary factors. While culture, aesthetics, and ecology play a role, their impact requires enhancement. The evaluation and ranking process highlighted five key sub-strategies (SO1, ST3, ST2, SO2, and WO4) as best practices for enhancing the Chemtou geosite. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multicriteria decision-making, three main criteria—geology (52), sustainability (54), and tourism (55)—emerged as crucial for the geosite. Other factors like culture (48), aesthetics (44), and ecology (37) had less impact, requiring more attention for improvement. These findings emphasized the significance of geological, cultural, educational, and geotouristic aspects at this archaeogeological site. Applying this approach to other sites can encourage stakeholders to discover, preserve, and support new archaeogeosites.