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Morocco World
25-07-2025
- General
- Morocco World
Oldest Mosque, Golden Treasures: Sijilmassa Reveals 10 Centuries of History
Marrakech – Archaeological excavations conducted between 2024 and 2025 at Sijilmassa have uncovered exceptional discoveries that reshape our understanding of Morocco's medieval heritage. This major campaign, supported by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, represents the most important research effort on this site since investigations began in the 1970s. Professor Lahcen Taouchikht initially led the project, followed by Professor Asmae El Kacimi, who directed an all-Moroccan team from the National Institute of Archaeological Sciences and Heritage (INSAP). The team excavated nearly 9,000 square meters in the urban core of Sijilmassa, a carrefour city founded in the late 8th century that once stood at the heart of trans-Saharan exchanges between the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Mediterranean world. Archaeologists unearthed foundations of a substantial religious complex, including a medieval mosque measuring 2,620 square meters with a capacity for approximately 2,600 worshippers. This mosque reveals multiple construction phases, ranging from the original mosque founded during Abu al-Montasir al-Yasa's reign (late 8th to early 9th century) through Almoravid and Almohad periods (11th-13th centuries), to the Alaouite mosque with elements still visible today. This stratification confirms the Sijilmassa mosque as one of Morocco's oldest, establishing it as a fundamental landmark in the religious and urban history of the Maghreb. The excavation levels linked to the mosque's earliest phases yielded a remarkable collection of carved plaster fragments dating to the Midrarid period (8th-10th century). Archaeological excavations conducted between 2024 and 2025 at Sijilmassa have uncovered exceptional discoveries that reshape our understanding of Morocco's medieval heritage. Treasures of Islamic art and gold coin production come to light These decorations, featuring finely crafted geometric, vegetal and epigraphic motifs, represent the oldest known Islamic art specimens in Morocco. The discovery showcases the artistic sophistication of early Islamic Morocco. The team found hundreds of painted wood fragments from the 18th century in the Alaouite madrasa ruins. These cedar pieces display vibrant polychrome and include evidence of gold leaf gilding (tadhhīb), providing the first material evidence of Alaouite architectural decoration at Sijilmassa. Long sought by archaeologists, evidence of monetary activity in Sijilmassa has finally emerged near the mosque. A 'honeycomb' ceramic mold for manufacturing gold coin blanks still contains gold residue in its cavities, confirming its use in producing the famous Sijilmassian dinars. This unique discovery in Morocco, only the second in Africa after Tadmekka in Mali, validates Sijilmassa's importance as a major monetary production center in the Islamic West. The artifact constitutes the first tangible material evidence of gold coin minting in the region. Archaeological excavations conducted between 2024 and 2025 at Sijilmassa have uncovered exceptional discoveries that reshape our understanding of Morocco's medieval heritage. Sijilmassa reveals first complete Alaouite quarter A major breakthrough came with the discovery of a complete residential quarter from the Alaouite period (17th-18th centuries). This find marks a decisive advance in understanding Sijilmassa's urban history, which has long focused on its medieval peak. The quarter consists of 12 houses built according to a uniform plan, demonstrating well-structured domestic urban planning. Each house organizes around a central patio, with living quarters, storage spaces, and rich domestic furnishings, including dishware. These elements help reconstruct the daily life practices of the inhabitants. Archaeobotanical analysis of samples from these spaces identified remains of dates and other agricultural products, providing valuable insight into the residents' diet in a pre-Saharan context. The analysis lays bare important information about agricultural practices and food consumption patterns in this semi-arid region. The scale, state of preservation, and richness of data from this discovery provide the first material evidence of the ancient presence of Alaouite Chorafa in Sijilmassa. It opens a new chapter in the site's history, shedding light on a previously undocumented occupation phase essential to understanding the city's urban, social, and political evolution over time. Archaeological excavations conducted between 2024 and 2025 at Sijilmassa have uncovered exceptional discoveries that reshape our understanding of Morocco's medieval heritage. City of gold confirms its historical legacy The discovery allows researchers to better understand the territorial roots, population dynamics, and forms of daily life associated with the beginnings of the Alaouite dynasty. This contributes to a renewed reading of the history of Morocco's reigning dynasty. The results of these archaeological digs extend beyond the local context. They provide essential elements for understanding the history of settlement, art and trans-Saharan exchanges. The INSAP team's work brings historical texts to life through material evidence. The remains unshrouded in these recent campaigns evoke the city described in historical texts. Its mosque, madrasa, streets, houses, and workshops emerge once again from the sands, opening a new chapter in reading Sijilmassa's rich history. The discoveries from the 2024 and 2025 campaigns paint a comprehensive picture of this once-thriving desert metropolis, firmly positioning Sijilmassa as a key archaeological site within Morocco's shared African heritage. Tags: Alaouite DynastysijilmassaSijilmassa archeological site
Focus Malaysia
25-07-2025
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank
THE Institute for Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) has applauded recent the passing of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 (CCB) by the Dewan Rakyat. However, its chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong cautioned that while the CCB is a milestone in efforts to regulate Malaysia's expanding consumer credit market, legislation alone will not resolve the structural issues pushing Malaysians, particularly the youth and informal workers, into cycles of debt. 'The Bill's introduction of a dedicated Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) to oversee previously unregulated credit providers and enhance consumer protection is a positive step,' she remarked. '(But) without wider economic reforms, this law may unintentionally tighten credit access for low- and middle-income groups already struggling with stagnant wages, high living costs and shrinking financial buffer.' As of December 2024, Malaysia's household debt stood at RM1.63 tril, representing 84.2% of GDP, which is the highest in Southeast Asia according to Bank Negara Malaysia. This reflects the growing reliance on short-term credit to cope with volatile income and essential spending, especially as the economy transitions from stable industrial jobs to more precarious service roles. At the same time, new fiscal measures such as petrol subsidy rationalisation and sales and services tax (SST) expansion have increased pressure on household budgets. The think tank went on to warn that layering new compliance costs on credit providers may inadvertently make credit more expensive or inaccessible, especially for the very groups the law intends to protect young adults, gig workers and financially excluded households. It also highlighted the importance of institutional clarity, regulatory independence and accountability for the CCC. Clear frameworks must govern leadership appointments, scope of powers and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and public trust. Crucially, INSAP stressed that any reform of the credit ecosystem must be matched by real structural policies that raise income security and job quality, control the cost of essential goods and services, and expand access to financial literacy and consumer rights education. 'The CCB must not become a regulatory plaster over a deeper economic wound. Without bold reforms to tackle inequality and economic insecurity, Malaysians will continue to borrow just to survive, no matter how well-regulated the system becomes,' Dr Yong added. ‒ July 25, 2025 Main image: Pexels/Anna Shvets
Ya Biladi
14-06-2025
- Science
- Ya Biladi
How forest growth shaped Iberomaurusian lifeways in northeastern Morocco
The Iberomaurusian, a prehistoric archaeological culture that flourished in North Africa between 25,000 and 10,000 years ago, underwent significant lifestyle changes during the Greenland Interstadial 1 climate phase, which favored the expansion of forest cover. In a groundbreaking study based on excavations at Morocco's Taforalt and Rhafas sites, a team of Moroccan and international researchers reconstructed these environmental and cultural shifts. Their initial findings reveal a close connection between forest expansion and altered land-use behaviors, profoundly impacting diet. Published on Thursday, June 12, 2025, the study, conducted by researchers from American, French, German, and British universities alongside Morocco's National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP), notably identifies early exploitation of storable plant foods like oak and pine at Taforalt, coinciding with intensified site occupation. Amidst abundant local nut-bearing trees and a regional rise in human population density, social organization in the region likely became more complex, according to the research titled « Expansion of forest cover and coeval shifts in Later Stone Age land-use at Taforalt and Rhafas Caves, Morocco, as inferred from carbon isotopes in ungulate tooth enamel». This period, known as the Late Stone Age, featured distinctive stone tools, organic materials, and symbolic artifacts, but more importantly, it marked significant shifts in land use compared to earlier phases. There was a clear reorganization of resource exploitation and group mobility, reshaping usage patterns at sites such as Taforalt, Ifri el Baroud, and Ifri n'Ammar. The Late Stone Age also saw increased accumulation of anthropogenic sediments dominated by ash, reflecting higher occupation intensity and greater use of fire. Additionally, more cemeteries emerged, such as those at Taforalt and Afalou in Algeria, with at least 90 and 58 individuals buried, respectively. At Taforalt, evidence points to a growing reliance on plants in the human diet, supported by ground stone tools, abundant macrobotanical remains, stable isotope analysis of human teeth, and increased dental caries. Expanded diets in northeastern Morocco are also indicated by significant land snail remains found alongside ash layers at Ifri el Baroud, Ifri n'Ammar, and Taforalt. Samples from Barbary sheep and gazelles at Taforalt and Rhafas show a 1.5 to 2‰ decrease during the Greenland Interstadial 1. However, equids and alcelaphines, which prefer open grassy areas, did not show such changes, suggesting that wooded mountain and hill habitats were primarily affected by the GI-1 climate interval locally. Researchers argue this points to high-altitude forest expansion and canopy filling near Taforalt and Rhafas during this time. While the broader geographic extent remains unclear, similar changes are noted at Ifri el Baroud, 80 km west of Taforalt. These changes coincide with the start of the gray stratigraphic series at Taforalt, reflecting marked shifts in hunter-gatherer land-use behaviors. These shifts include intensive use of acorns and pine nuts, indirect evidence of plant processing and storage, high artifact and food waste concentrations despite heavy sedimentation, and the emergence of a cemetery at the cave's rear. Early Signs of Food Transformation and Storage The researchers interpret these archaeological indicators as evidence of stronger, more permanent ties to the site. Collectively, these features suggest longer stays at Taforalt, with plant food exploitation, especially storable forest resources, as a major activity, accompanied by an expanded diet and increased investment in food processing. The increased tree productivity during GI-1 likely contributed to the intensive use of the site. Coupled with rising regional human population densities and higher primary productivity, these factors supported stronger human presence not only at Taforalt and Rhafas but across present-day Morocco. The study also notes preliminary signs that these behavioral patterns emerged during the later, cooler, and drier Heinrich 1 phase, consistent with data from Taforalt's rich archaeological record. Notably, the increased forest productivity during GI-1 coincided with intense acorn consumption, which was processed and likely stored. These starchy foods are rich in fermentable carbohydrates, which can accelerate enamel demineralization, especially when ground or cooked, explaining the dental evidence in human remains from the period, alongside indications of food drying for storage. To further clarify landscape evolution and decisive changes in land use by hunter-gatherers during this critical interval, researchers emphasize the need for additional dating and paleoenvironmental analyses. These next steps will enable more precise timing of these developments.
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.
