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L’objet de la présente étude est un panneau mosaïqué avec une représentation figurée qui n’est en fait qu’une partie d’un pavement plus grand qui a été découvert en 1902 dans la nécropole romaine dite du camp Sabatier à Sousse. Exposé depuis sa découverte dans le musée archéologique de la ville, il faisait partie d’une mosaïque qui ornait le sol d’un mausolée aujourd’hui disparu. Il figure, près de ce qui à première vue semble être un autel, un personnage masculin debout de face, auquel manquent la tête, l’épaule droite et le bras droit, et dont la main gauche est posée sur un objet rectangulaire représenté verticalement et qui ressemble à un bouclier.

Egypt, where the mean temperature is expected to increase by 1−1.5°C over the next two decades, is particularly concerned with climate change in the Mediterranean. Most of the research works on adaptive animal traits have focused on sheep and goats in non-irrigated areas, with little interest in livestock systems in irrigated areas. However, meat and dairy products in Egypt are mainly supplied by large ruminants − cattle and buffaloes. In addition, research on genetic improvement to increase production has neglected local cattle breeds such as the Baladi, which appears to be endangered. Based on individual and collective interviews conducted in two governorates of Egypt, this study aimed to describe the situation of this local breed based on the perceptions and practices of the actors in the sector (including farmers, traders and service suppliers), and to draw perspectives for its future. From the interviews, the Baladi appeared adapted and more resistant to harsh conditions, especially to extreme warm temperatures, feed shortage periods, and some diseases, in particular foot-and-mouth disease. However, there is no organization or collective action to preserve or promote this breed because of its low level of dairy production, although its meat is highly valued in rural areas and could be the source of a potential niche market.