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Morocco World
06-05-2025
- Science
- Morocco World
New Discoveries at Sijilmassa Could Redefine Morocco's Ancient African Connections
Rabat – Morocco's National Institute of Archeology and Heritage (INSAP) has launched a comprehensive research program at the ancient site of Sijilmassa. This initiative seeks to reveal the mysteries of one of Morocco's most historically significant cities, which once played a vital role in connecting the country to sub-Saharan Africa. This research is entirely led by Moroccan experts, with Asmae Al-Qasimi, a heritage professor and specialist, overseeing the local team. Abdeljalil Bouzouggar, director of the Institute, noted that the discoveries expected from this project could shift the understanding of Morocco's role in African history. Bouzouggar told SNRTnews that the ongoing research at Sijilmassa and the Chellah sites as groundbreaking for Morocco. This marks the first large-scale excavation of its kind in the country, in terms of size and the modern techniques employed. He added that these projects represent some of the largest archaeological undertakings led by the Institute since the country's independence, and the findings will likely redefine the region's historical significance. Al-Qasimi, the project leader, explained that the team is focused on deep excavations to uncover the true nature of Sijilmassa, as much of its historical architecture remains buried beneath the earth. She shared that the archaeological layers at Sijilmassa stretch from the 8th to the 18th century, with recent discoveries shedding new light on the city's past and possibly rewriting its history. The researcher also pointed out that while earlier excavations were conducted during the colonial period by teams from Italy, the US, and France, those efforts were much smaller in scope compared to the current project. Read also: Sijilmasa: Morocco's Contribution to the Trans-Saharan Gold Trade What sets this excavation apart is the use of advanced, modern technologies for the first time in Morocco, including drones and 3D imaging, techniques that are internationally recognized and have been successfully implemented by the Moroccan team. To date, the research has covered approximately 8,000 square meters of the site, revealing layers of history spanning from the 6th to the 18th centuries. The excavations have already uncovered important findings that could reshape the understanding of Morocco's historical narrative. Al-Qasimi confirmed that the research has unveiled the original nucleus of the city, as well as archaeological points that have never before been documented in the field. The Ministry of Youth plans to announce the full results once the research concludes. Historically, Sijilmassa was a key passageway to the African coast, connecting Morocco to empires like Ghana and Senegal.
Ya Biladi
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
From Morocco to Belgium, Hassan Bousetta revisits history and politics
Estimated read time: 6' Your book begins with the ancient history of Morocco and Belgium, then moves through time up to the present day. How did you go about documenting this journey? Initially, the book grew out of various influences, notably my academic work on Moroccan immigration, which I began exactly 30 years ago, in 1994, and which led to a doctoral thesis tracing Moroccan migration in its contemporary context. Later, I also became actively involved in social and political life and contributed to several initiatives around the memory of immigration, notably in 2004, when I chaired the «Immigration Memorial Space» project commemorating the signing of labor agreements. In 2024, I took part in the 60th anniversary commemorations, with new perspectives. While the 2004 event allowed us to revisit Belgium's post-war social history, the 2024 commemoration took us even further back, prompting a return to the roots of Moroccan society to explore the interactions between Belgium and Morocco throughout history. That's where the idea for this book came from. By following the thread of Ariadne, we ventured even further back and realized that what we thought were recent ties — that labor migration had sparked relations between Belgium and Morocco — was actually a misconception. In reality, the two societies belong to a broader geographical space, an Atlantic corridor where people have been circulating since time immemorial. I begin the book by recalling the recent discoveries made by Professor Ben-Ncer from the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP) and Professor Hublin from the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, who documented the existence of the oldest Homo sapiens in Morocco, dating back 300,000 years. These Homo sapiens spread across the planet and became the humans we are today. This shows that contacts between peoples have always existed. My work does not claim to be that of a historian, but rather an attempt to offer a comprehensive account of history — presenting it as a foundation for memory and illustrating how memory has been selective. Some aspects have been preserved; others forgotten. In Europe, we often say that our ancestors were the Gauls, but rarely acknowledge that our ancestors were also African, that we have a primordial identity as African Homo sapiens who traveled and evolved. For me, putting these historical elements into perspective — elements that memory sometimes embraces and sometimes rejects — was essential. We have evidence of Numidians and Amazigh kingdoms serving in Roman armies to defend the borders of the Roman Empire in what is now Belgium and Germany. Circulation within these regions and contacts between peoples have been timeless, yet they were never truly incorporated into collective memory. The aim of this 260-page book is to show that Belgium has a history beyond its own borders — and so does Morocco. We could undertake the same exercise for Morocco and France, or France and Spain, or even France and the United States. History is full of interactions: first through encounters between scholars and artists, then through trade. Commercial relations between the two shores have probably been the most structurally significant over time, followed by episodes of military confrontation. It's worth noting that Belgium and Morocco have never faced each other in direct conflict — Belgium is a relatively young country — but they were sometimes co-belligerents in events like the Spanish Crusades. Later came the human migrations of the 20th century. You also explore the issue of independence and the pre-colonial period. Was this a disruption in relations between the two shores, as suggested by your book's title, especially given France's occupation of Algeria? This book attempts to combine a long historical perspective with a shorter, more immediate one. I devote a long first chapter to prehistory, tracing developments up to 1830 — a pivotal year in both countries' histories, as Belgium was founded that same year. Before that, Belgium existed in various forms: as the Austrian Netherlands, Spanish Netherlands, or under French and Burgundian rule. The 19th century marked a period of significant acceleration. Morocco, with its older Sharifian Empire, found itself coveted by European powers, striving to maintain its sovereignty. France's occupation of Algeria posed a major challenge not only to Morocco but also to Tunisia. A key chapter in the book highlights how, starting in 1838, Belgium began establishing diplomatic relations with Morocco. Belgian interest in Morocco grew steadily, particularly under Leopold II, who would later become internationally known as the man who colonized the Congo — initially on a personal basis, then on behalf of the Belgian state. The Belgian Congo officially became his possession in 1885, following the Berlin Conference, which organized the division of Africa's territories. However, Leopold II was not yet King of Belgium at the time — he was Duke of Brabant and Crown Prince — and had already begun visiting Morocco. In 1862, he made his first trip there, 25 years before the Berlin Conference, and continued to visit regularly in an effort to launch a project. His ambition was to establish a trading post and secure a Belgian foothold, as he had attempted in Egypt and elsewhere, but he was ultimately unsuccessful. Interestingly, while Leopold II became infamous for colonizing the Congo — without ever having set foot there — he spent a large part of his life trying, and failing, to establish a Belgian presence in Morocco. It's important to remember this, as collective memory has all but erased it from public debate. This exploration of Moroccan-Belgian histories shows how Belgian diplomacy was active in Morocco throughout the 19th century, up until the fate of the Cherifian kingdom gradually shifted toward French and Spanish colonization. Key moments included the Algeciras Conference and the so-called Entente Cordiale between the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium, which granted Britain preeminence over Egypt and France over Morocco. By the time the 1830–1912 Treaty of Fez was signed, establishing the French Protectorate, Belgium's stance toward Morocco had evolved. Previously, Belgium had relied, depending on circumstances, on the support of Germany, Great Britain, or France. Its diplomatic strength lay in its status as a relatively non-threatening country to Europe's major powers, allowing it to navigate and compromise effectively with its various partners. Belgian diplomats soon took up positions in Tangier's International Zone, as well as Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, and other cities. When France assumed control of Morocco, Belgian industrialists and diplomats aligned themselves with the development efforts organized by the Protectorate. Belgium abandoned its ambitions for an independent role and joined France's initiatives, notably contributing to the discovery of coal mines in Jerada and mineral deposits in the Rif, Oriental, and Touissit regions. Belgian entrepreneurs also drove large-scale projects in agriculture and the sugar industry. At the time, however, the great hope was oil — a hope that ultimately went unfulfilled. While iron, copper, and coal were discovered, oil remained elusive. In this book, we attempt to shed light on this period (1912–1956) through testimonials from that era, before transitioning to the story of an independent Morocco. As you approach the period of Independence, you highlight more recent historical themes from a political perspective. You also introduce contemporary figures from civil society, institutions, bi-national public figures, and diverse cultural voices. Does this reflect a shift in Belgian-Moroccan relations, moving away from the colonialist views of the past? Absolutely. The context of Moroccan migration to Belgium led to a profound change in perspective, especially after the 1964 labor agreement that organized the arrival of Moroccan workers. When we read the history of Belgian-Moroccan relations through documents produced in Belgium, we often encounter a dominant-dominated narrative, a colonial lens. One particularly revealing book is by Edmond Picard, recounting a Belgian mission to meet Sultan Hassan I in Meknes. It stands as one of the most emblematic works of the Western — and specifically Belgian — view of Morocco at the time: a view that was often disparaging and condescending. I also reference Edward Said, to illustrate how the West constructed a fantasized Orient, marked by distance and feelings of superiority. Relations in the 20th century began a slow and ongoing rebalancing — a process that continues today and to which this book seeks to contribute, offering a more serene and equitable understanding between the two shores. In the final chapter, we clearly see a new dynamic: new challenges, a professionalization of exchanges, growing expertise on both sides, a maturation of projects, greater technical sophistication, and increased volumes of investment. This progress was only possible because of earlier battles fought by trade unionists, activists, and organizations that pushed for changes in nationality laws, anti-discrimination legislation, workers' rights, and so on, as detailed in Chapter 4. Thanks to these efforts, new generations have been able to go even further with their projects. Given the scale of Moroccan immigration to Belgium, however, economic ties between the two countries are still far weaker than they should be. Perhaps that will be the story of a Chapter 6 — to be written in 20 years' time.
Ya Biladi
18-02-2025
- Science
- Ya Biladi
Kach Kouch, the first Bronze Age settlement in the Maghreb before the Phoenicians
The province of Tetouan could be a new goldmine that will provide insights into the ancient history of the Maghreb, offering new information for years to come. In the Kach Kouch site, near Oued Laou, archaeologists have uncovered what is believed to be the first protohistoric village in the region, predating the arrival of the Phoenicians. According to a study published this Monday in the scientific journal Antiquity, human presence on the site dates back to periods between 2200 and 2000 BC, extending to the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Led by Professor Youssef Bokbot from the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP), the research team provides scientific evidence that challenges certain historical assumptions about the development of societies in North Africa, long before Phoenician rule. A locally rooted way of life The architectural remains discovered on the site suggest a form of sedentary life and social organization, sustained over the long term around local economic activities. Despite the variable preservation quality of the remains, the archaeological excavations have also helped identify three distinct periods on the site. According to the study, the first period spans from 2200 to 2000 BC, the second from 1300 to 900 BC, and the third from the 8th to the 7th centuries BC. Based on the dating, the second period likely saw the emergence of structured settlements, alongside agricultural activities. The third phase would be marked by the introduction and spread of external cultural elements, including those from the Phoenicians, such as iron tools and pottery. According to the same source, other traces on the site provide clues about the advanced social organization of the inhabitants at the time, who notably engaged in food storage and preservation processes for this purpose. Research analyses on this subject reveal that agricultural activities focused on cereal and legume cultivation, along with the cultivation of olive trees and the raising of sheep and goats, with a slightly lesser emphasis on pigs. A preliminary study that could lead to in-depth research While highlighting the unprecedented nature of these findings, the researchers note that the conclusions of this first study are based on scientific data that was previously limited regarding the Bronze Age. In this regard, they emphasize that more extensive data would allow for a more complete assessment of the extent of this occupation of the second millennium BC. Nevertheless, they write, «the existence of Kach Kouch strongly suggests a more complex landscape that is yet to be discovered». More in-depth research on the third millennium BC, linking the final Neolithic of the northwest Maghreb identified at Oued Beht to the Bronze Age currently emerging at Kach Kouch, is imperative, the researchers insist. For them, the publication of the data from this unique site should stimulate interest and encourage new research on a pivotal period long neglected and underestimated.
