Excavations reveal the existence of a vast agricultural complex in Morocco. About a hundred kilometers from Rabat, in the province of Khemisset, archaeologists have unearthed an exceptional site, revealing an ancient prosperous and complex agricultural society dating back 5,000 years.
This discovery, made on the archaeological site of Oued Beht, is considered the largest agricultural complex of this period ever identified in Africa, outside the famous Nile corridor.
An invaluable discovery for African archeology
The research, carried out by an international team of scientists, has brought to light remains which shed new light on the importance of the Maghreb during the Neolithic period. “ All indicators point to the presence of a large-scale agricultural settlement, comparable to that of Troy at the dawn of the Bronze Age », Underlines the study published in the prestigious British journal Antiquity.
This study, carried out by renowned researchers such as Youssef Bokbot (National Institute of Archeology and Heritage Sciences), Cyprian Broodbank (University of Cambridge) and Giulio Lucarini (National Research Council of Italy), re-examines the history of late prehistory in North-West Africa, long neglected by Mediterranean archaeology.
Remains testifying to a prosperous society
The excavations revealed numerous artifacts, including more than 3,000 stone tools, 50 axes and adzes, 371 carved objects, as well as 1,295 pottery fragments. Among the finds, deep storage pits, likely used to preserve wheat and barley, indicate that intensive agriculture was central to this society’s economy.
The remains of cultivated plants and domesticated animals confirm that agricultural practices were well established, suggesting an advanced civilization. “ These discoveries prove that this African society had already developed sophisticated agricultural methods, long before the emergence of other major civilizations such as Pharaonic Egypt. », Explains Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, director of the National Institute of Archeology and Heritage Sciences.
Early trans-Mediterranean links
One of the most fascinating aspects of this discovery is the demonstration of ancient links between the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula. Archaeologists have noted striking similarities between agricultural practices and objects found at Oued Beht and those discovered in Iberia. “ The silo culture, as well as the painted pottery, presents similarities with those found on the other side of the Mediterranean », Explain the researchers.
These trans-Mediterranean exchanges, once dated to the beginning of navigation on the high seas, around 2,400 BC, actually began much earlier. “ The results of the excavations modify the chronology of commercial exchanges between North-West Africa and the Western Mediterranean », Specifies Youssef Bokbot who does not exclude the possibility of links with other Mediterranean regions, notably Cyprus, which could be explored during future excavation campaigns.
A significant contribution to Mediterranean history
This major discovery invites us to reassess the role of the Maghreb in the formation of ancient Mediterranean societies. “ For too long, Africa has been seen as merely a receiver of outside influences, but this discovery proves that Africans played an active and central role in the region’s early cultural and economic exchanges. “, declare the researchers in their article.
The next excavation campaign, scheduled for February 2025, promises to reveal more about this little-known society. Archaeologists hope to uncover burials, determine village boundaries and explore a nearby salt mine, a key part of the local economy.
Related News :