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The discovery indicates that there were already agricultural villages in Maghreb before the arrival of the Phoenicians, challenging the ancient belief that the region was uninhabited.
A new archaeological in Kach Kouch, Morocco, he has been advocated, which has long been defended, that the skinny (northwest of Africa) was an empty land before the arrival of the Middle East Phoenicians, around 800 BC, and reveals one much more rich and complex history what was thought.
Everything that was found on site indicates that during the Bronze Age, for over 3000 years, There were already agricultural villages stable on the African coast of the Mediterranean.
This happened at the same time as societies such as mythic flourished in the East Mediterranean.
The discovery, conducted by a team of young researchers from the National Archeology Institute of Archeology, widens our knowledge of recent North Africa prehistory. It also redefines our understanding of the links between Maghreb and the rest of the Mediterranean in ancient times.
How the discovery was made
Kach Kouch was identified in 1988 and first excavated in 1992. At the time, the researchers believed that the site had been inhabited between the eighth centuries and I was VI. This hypothesis was based on Phoenician ceramic found.
Almost 30 years later, one team performed two new excavation times in 2021 and 2022. Investigations included cutting -edge technology such as drones, differential GPS (global positioning systems) and 3D models.
A strict protocol was followed for sample collection. This allowed detect fossilized remains of seeds and charcoal.
Subsequently, a series of analyzes allowed to reconstruct the village economy and its natural environment in prehistory.
What the remains revealed
The excavations, along with dating by radiocarbon, revealed that the village went through Three phases of occupation Between 2200 and 600 AC
The first documented traces (2200-2000 BC) are scarce. They are made up of three unnamed ceramic fragments, a silent chip and a cow bone.
The scarcity of materials and contexts can due to erosion or to a temporary occupation of the hill during this phase.
In its second phase, after a period of abandonment, Mount Kach Kouch was permanently occupied from 1300 BC. Its inhabitants, which probably would be no more than a hundred, devoted themselves to agriculture and animal breeding.
Lived in circular dwellings built on stick, a technique that combines Wooden posts, reeds and mud. Dighed silos on the rock to store agricultural products.
The analyzes show that they cultivated wheat, barley and legumes, and raised cattle, sheep, goat and pork.
They also used Mós for processing of cereals, silent tools and decorated ceramic. In addition, it was documented the oldest bronze object known in North Africa (excluding Egypt). It is probably a metal fragment removed after casting in a mold.
Interactions with the Phoenicians
Between the eighth and eighth centuries, during the so -called mareurel period, the inhabitants of Kach Kouch maintained the same material culture, architecture and economy as the previous phase. However, the Interactions with Phoenician Communities They were beginning to settle in nearby sites, such as lixus, brought new cultural practices.
For example, circular dwellings with square stone and wooden dwellings were coexisted, combining techniques of phenomenal and local construction.
In addition, they began to be cultivated new cultureslike grapes and olives. Among the new materials are the phenomena ceramics made to the wheel, such as the amphores (storage jars) and the dishes, and the use of iron objects.
Around 600 BC, Kach Kouch was peacefully abandoned, perhaps due to social and economic changes. Its inhabitants probably moved to other nearby villages.
Who were the inhabitants of the Bronze Age?
It is not known for sure whether the thin populations of the Bronze Age lived in tribes, as it would happen during the maurethane period. They were probably organized in families. The burials suggest that There were no clear signs of hierarchy.
It is possible that they spoke a language similar to Amazigh, the north indigenous language of Africa, which only became written with the introduction of the Phoenician alphabet. Cultural continuity documented in Kach Kouch suggests that these populations are the direct ancestors of the maurestan people of northwest Africa.
Why is this important
Kach Kouch is not only the first and oldest village of the Bronze Age known in Maghreb, but also reformulates our understanding of prehistory in this region.
The new findings, along with other recent discoveries, show that the northwest of Africa has state linked to other regions of the Mediterraneanfrom the Atlantic and Sahara since prehistoric times.
The discoveries challenge traditional narratives, many of which were influenced by colonial views that portrayed Magheb like an empty and isolated land until it was “civilized” by foreign peoples.
Consequently, Maghreb has long been absent from the debates about the late prehistory of the Mediterranean. These new discoveries represent not only an advance for archeology, but also an appeal to the reconsideration of dominant historical narratives. Kach Kouch offers the opportunity to rewrite the history of North Africa and to give him the visibility he has always deserved.
This is a decisive moment for the investigation that can forever change the way we understand not only the history of North Africa, but also its relationship with other areas of the Mediterranean.
