Discovery of an Ancient Fortification in Morocco
Recent archaeological excavations at the Oued Beht Archaeological Project, situated in Khemisset Province, Morocco, have unveiled a remarkable fortification that dates back 3,500 to 4,000 years, marking it as the oldest known defensive structure in North Africa outside the Nile Valley. This significant finding has been validated through a comprehensive study featured in the latest issue of American "Discover Magazine," underscoring the site's critical role in reshaping our understanding of prehistorical North African civilization.
The archaeological site is strategically located between Morocco’s picturesque coast and the majestic Atlas Mountains, presently characterized by a serene rural landscape of undulating hills, expansive plains, and meandering river valleys. However, during its prime, around four millennia ago, Oued Beht was a thriving community bustling with agricultural activities, livestock rearing, and pottery production, indicating a complex societal structure.
Significance of the Fortification
Giulio Lucarini, the principal author of the research paper and a researcher at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the International Association for Mediterranean and Eastern Studies (ISMEO), emphasized the importance of this discovery. He stated, "It is the oldest defensive structure so far identified in North Africa beyond the Nile Valley." Lucarini further elaborated on the implications of such a structure, asserting that it served both as a means of protection and a demonstration of social power. This discovery hints at a more formal social organization, potentially indicating the emergence of leadership capable of mobilizing labor for significant construction projects.
The fortification comprises a multi-phase ditch, a rampart, and a wall that ingeniously utilized the natural topography of the ridge, effectively blocking access to the southern part of the site. The Oued Beht Archaeological Project is co-directed by Lucarini and Moroccan researcher Youssef Bokbot from L’Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine (INSAP). Lucarini noted that the construction of such a large ditch and rampart required meticulous planning, coordination, and sustained labor over time.
Through radiocarbon dating of seed and charcoal deposits, the research team was able to pinpoint the timeline of the structure's construction, aligning it with the Bronze Age of the western Mediterranean, approximately 3,500 to 4,000 years ago. Interestingly, the team found evidence suggesting that the fortification underwent reconstruction between the 11th and 13th centuries C.E., along with the establishment of a hamlet or farm and a nearby cemetery.
The site of Oued Beht originally began as a Neolithic settlement, with estimates indicating its foundation as early as the mid-fourth to early third millennium B.C.E., approximately 5,400 to 4,900 years ago. Archaeological findings illustrate that it evolved into a vibrant agricultural center, where local inhabitants cultivated a variety of crops including wheat, peas, and barley, while also foraging for wild plants such as olives and pistachios, and raising livestock like sheep, goats, and pigs. Additionally, remnants of painted pottery and thousands of polished stone axes suggest that the site was also a hub for craft production.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
