Hamza Benattia, Department of Prehistory and Archaeology, University of Barcelona; Project Director
Despite over a century of archaeological investigation in northwest Africa, the Bronze Age (c. 3rd to 1st millennia BC) remains one of the most enigmatic periods of its later Prehistory. Since 2021, the Kach Kouch Archaeological Project team, primarily comprising PhD and undergraduate students from the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage of Morocco (INSAP) and other countries, has made significant contributions, through excavation and survey, to the understanding of this hitherto mysterious period.
Excavations at Stehat 1.
Surveying the valley of Stehat.
Thanks to the support of a Stevan B. Dana Grant, the Kach Kouch Team continued in 2023 and early 2024 the research in northwestern Morocco’s Rif mountains. Extensive survey and targeted excavation along the valleys of Oued Laou and Stehat led to the identification of 5 previously undocumented sites. These newly discovered sites attest a more stable settled occupation in this region than previously thought, spanning from the Late Prehistory to the Early Mauretanian Period (from c. 2200-400BC), a signature unprecedent for non-Nilotic North Africa.
Excavations at Stehat 2.
Excavating at Stehat 3, part of Kach Kouch Project, Morocco.
Contrary to prior assumptions, our research demonstrates that settled occupation in this region stems from social and economic dynamics within local North African communities since at least 2200 BC, rather than being a result of later interactions with Phoenician communities. Furthermore, while our conclusions are preliminary and require cautious discussion, initial findings suggest that, despite the settlement of Phoenician communities along the northern Moroccan coast from the 8th century BC onwards, local cultural traditions persisted in the inner valleys of the western Rif, Morocco, until the 6-5th centuries BC. As observed in similar colonial contexts, this seems to be related with a long process of negotiation, involving resistance and assimilation of new cultural practices among local communities.
Surveying the valley of Oued Laou.
Working on materials at the lab.
This new data challenges prevailing narratives and underscores the importance of reevaluating colonial biases that have shaped scholarly discourse on North African archaeology. While our research has provided valuable insights, it represents only the beginning of a broader investigation. Many questions remain unanswered, motivating us to continue our work in the years ahead. It is our hope that through archaeological research we will further contribute to a deeper understanding of northwest Africa’s role in the prehistory of the Mediterranean, a narrative long overlooked and that for far too many years has gone unrecognized.
Beyond scientific research, the team thoroughly enjoyed this amazing field season as it provided an opportunity for collaboration among young researchers from Morocco and other countries. The season was replete with unforgettable experiences, laughter and delicious Moroccan cuisine!
