Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a city that existed between 5,400 and 4,900 years ago in present-day Morocco, which researchers believe was the largest city in Africa outside of the Nile Basin during that era.
This discovery has shed light on a region previously obscured in historical records, revealing extensive trade networks with settlements across the Strait of Gibraltar in Iberia and potentially further across the Mediterranean, as published by Cambridge University press.
The site, Oued Beht, is located approximately 100 kilometers inland from Rabat, and excavation efforts led by Professor Cyprian Broodbank of Cambridge University, alongside Moroccan and European researchers, suggest it was a vibrant city in 3000 BCE.
Researchers found many similarities between this city and Bronze Age Troy, including evidence of agriculture and trade links.
Artifacts discovered at Oued Beht include pottery, stone tools, domesticated animals like goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs, and pits similar to those found in Neolithic sites in Spain, indicating strong connections with the Iberian Peninsula.
These findings suggest that the city was part of a broader African and Mediterranean network that included trade in items like ivory and ostrich eggs.
This discovery fills a significant gap in the understanding of the Maghreb region’s history, highlighting its contribution to early Mediterranean societies.
While previous studies focused on the Nile and Carthage, this site offers fresh insights into North African civilizations. The abundance of stone axes and pottery found at Oued Beht points to a well-established community that existed during a 500-year period before and after the city’s prime.
According to the researchers, Oued Beht may have even pioneered open-ocean trade, with connections stretching beyond the Mediterranean.
This discovery underscores the dynamic role North Africa played in shaping early Mediterranean history, expanding our understanding of the region’s cultural and economic influence.