In this paper, I have focused on the approach of the first important epigraphist in Africa, F. Ximenez, when studying the ancient inscriptions of the Regency of Tunis in the first third of the 18 th century. Analysing his modus operandi, I have tried to shed some light on his motivations and interests. What kind of data did F. Ximenez collect from the inscriptions and what information did he try to deduce from them? Did he have preferences regarding the type of inscriptions and the data he collects from them? How did he carry out his analyses and which problems did he face in searching and copying inscriptions? I have compared him also with other contemporary authors interested in epigraphy: whether travellers in the Regency or erudite antiquarians. All these aspects will help the historian of antiquity to use the texts of F. Ximenez, and the modernist to place better F. Ximenez within the antiquarians of the time. La récupération d'un épigraphiste Francisco Ximenez de Santa Cathalina (1685-1752) était un frère trini-taire qui séjourna au Maghreb entre 1719 et 1735. Fondateur et administra-teur d'un hôpital de son ordre, mais aussi curieux observateur, il s'est intéressé particulièrement à l'histoire et à la société de la Régence de Tunis. De sa vaste * Cet article a été écrit grâce au contrat post-doctoral « Juan de la Cierva-Formación 2015 » du Ministère espagnol de l'Éducation, la Culture et le Sport.