Ancient Moroccan Civilization Sheds New Light on Prehistoric Mediterranean

Friday 27 September 2024 - 09:55

A groundbreaking archaeological discovery in Morocco is transforming our understanding of North African prehistory and its connections with the ancient Mediterranean world.

The Oued Beht Archaeological Project (OBAP), a joint effort by researchers from the UK, Italy, and Morocco, has unearthed evidence of an advanced farming society thriving between 3,400 and 2,900 BC. This site, situated on a ridge overlooking the Oued Beht river, was initially identified in the 1930s due to an array of prehistoric stone artifacts. However, it was only in 2021 that the OBAP team, led by Professors Cyprian Broodbank, Giulio Lucarini, and Youssef Bokbot, began detailed excavations.

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal and seeds consistently indicates a flourishing settlement during the late fourth to early third millennium BC. This era, termed the "Final Neolithic" by researchers, was previously one of the least understood periods in the area's history.

Advanced techniques, such as drone-based photogrammetry and geophysical prospection, revealed the extensive scale of the ancient settlement, with the main activity area spanning 9-10 hectares. The researchers highlighted the unprecedented concentration of pottery and lithics at Oued Beht, stating it rivals any other site on the African continent outside the Nile corridor.

Excavations have uncovered numerous bell-shaped pits, believed to have been used for large-scale grain storage. This hypothesis is supported by the discovery of charred remains of domesticated crops like barley, wheat, and peas. Faunal remains suggest a community heavily reliant on domesticated animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs, with minimal evidence of wild resource exploitation.

The material culture at Oued Beht, including finely crafted pottery, stone tools, and polished stone axes, attests to the society's sophistication. Notably, a tradition of dark-on-light painted pottery found at the site shows striking parallels to ceramics in southern Iberia, highlighting potential cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean-Atlantic gateway.

These findings position Oued Beht within a broader framework of interconnected societies on both sides of the Mediterranean during the later fourth and third millennia BC. Despite likely movements in both directions, it is recognized as a distinctly African-based community that significantly contributed to shaping the early Mediterranean social landscape.

The discoveries at Oued Beht mark a new chapter in understanding ancient North African societies and their influence. As the OBAP team continues their investigations, they aim to further illuminate the emergence, decline, and broader context of this remarkable site. Cyprian Broodbank emphasized the significance of these findings, noting the Maghreb's crucial yet previously unrecognized role in prehistoric Mediterranean archaeology.

The team concludes that Oued Beht and the northwest Maghreb will now occupy an essential and profoundly revisionary place in the prehistory of the Mediterranean and Africa, a recognition long overdue.