Morocco Announces Discovery of 2,000-Old Mauritanian Tomb

Rabat – Archaeologists in Morocco have discovered in the Moroccan northern city of Larache an ancient tomb belonging to the “Mauritanian period,” which dates back to over 2,000 years. 

Emergency excavations unearthed the remains of the ancient tomb in February, Morocco’s National Institute of Archeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP) announced on Tuesday, adding that the excavation is part of the Ministry of Youth and Culture’s ongoing project to explore and protect Morocco’s archaeological heritage. 

“INSAP took the initiative in coordination with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage to organize rescue excavations from February 10-17, 2023,” said the statement.

Two INSAP archaeologists carried out the emergency excavation, unearthing the remains of the ancient tomb, which dates back to over 2,000. The tomb belongs to the Mauritanian period, which is prior to the Roman occupation, detailed INSAP’s statement.

“The architecture of the tomb was carefully designed,” with walls built of well-cut stone blocks that were “carefully assembled and adjusted,” the statement said, adding that the interior of the tomb includes the remains of an “incomplete skeleton of a human whose body would have undergone an incomplete cremation.”

The incomplete cremation is part of a rite of funeral documented for the first time in the region of Larache.

“These data provided by the emergency excavations are likely to contribute to enriching our knowledge of funerary practices and religious beliefs specific to the rural society of the Loukkos basin during the Mauritanian period which extends from the 8th century BC to the year 40 AD,” the statement said.

Preventive measures were taken in coordination with the owner of the land where the tomb was discovered, with INSAP commending the land owner’s “remarkable” spirit of collaboration and commended cooperation to protect and preserve the tomb.

Morocco has been host to significant discoveries in recent years.

One of the latest findings was in December 2022, when INSAP announced the discovery of a 110,000-year-old Atlas Lion fossil in Essaouira.

The institute celebrated the finding, emphasizing that it was “the first time in the history of archaeological research” Atlas Lion’s traces were found.