the museum has extensive collections punic, roman and byzantine culture of north africa. the mahdia museum also has a section dedicated to underwater archaeology including the "mahdia shipwreck". the wreck is a hellenistic period greek merchant vessel sunk during a storm in the 1st century bc. it contained a rich cargo of works of art and architectural elements including many columns, as well as many sculptures of marble and bronze. the museum maintains strong ties to the national bardo museum.