Motya

 island, ruins, archaeological site, interesting place

Founded in the 8th century BCE, Mozia (historically known as Motya) was an important Phoenician and Carthaginian settlement, the ruins of which can be seen all along the shores. The island was used as a center for trade in the Mediterranean as it was only reachable by boat until the inhabitants built an underwater ford (1.7 km long and 7 m wide) that could be driven on by chariots with large wheels in the shallow water. The inhabitants used windmill-like objects to pump out water and harvest salt. The inhabitants are considered Phoenician or Carthaginian as a result of siding with these armies against the Greeks in the 6th century BCE. The site was sacked in 398/7 BCE by the Syracuse tyrant Dionysius the Elder, after which it became less populated (Motya).

Pics:
sights.seindal.dk/sight/35_Motya.html

More information:
www.ancientworlds.net/aw/Places/District/810188

Isserlin, B. S. J., and Joan Du Plattaylor. Motya: a Phoenician and Carthaginian City in Sicily. Vol. 1. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1974.

Servadio, Gaia. Motya: Unearthing a Lost Civiliation. Frome and London: Butler & Tanner Ltd., 1988.