the exact founding date of utica is a matter of controversy. several classical authors date its foundation to around 1100bc. the archaeological evidence, however, suggests a foundation no earlier than the eighth centurybc. the inland settlement used rusucmona ("cape eshmun") on cape farina to the northeast as its chief port, although continued silting has rendered the present-day settlement at ghar el-melh a small farming community. although carthage was later founded about 40 km from utica, records suggest "that until 540bc utica was still maintaining political and economic autonomy in relation to its powerful carthaginian neighbor".