Archeologists conduct excavations north of Rabat
Morocco, History, 9/6/2000

A team of Moroccan and Italian archeologists started last week excavations in the historical Thamusida site on the left shore of the Sebou river that runs from the Middle Atlas mountains into the Atlantic sea, some 40 Km north of Rabat.

The works to last till September 30 are conducted by six Moroccan and ten Italian archeologists.

The Italians had conducted last year preliminary research on this site where excavations had already been made in 1930 and 1960 by French searchers.

According to the archeologists, the Romans had settled in 200 BC in the village where the Thamusida historical site is located and had set a garrison and a fortress, deemed the largest in Mauritania Tangitane after this kingdom was annexed by the Roman Empire.

The buildings and ceramic items unearthed evidence the development level reached by Thamusida.

Moroccan historian, Mustapha M'Chich Alami asserts in his book on the history of the Gharb region through its sites and monuments that Thamusida's economic life was based on trade, industrial and military activities. The city was actually a garrison, a large river port and a center of transit to the hinterland. A belt of surveillance towers ensured the security of the city that was extending over nearly 13 hectares.

The city included a military camp, religious temples, thermal baths, and an industrial district harboring a salting unit, stores and ovens for metal works.

In the eastern part of the city, a temple, lodgings and a necropolis were discovered. Searchers found out that the houses were similar to those discovered in Volubilis, a Roman site near the city of Meknes (170 KM north-east of Rabat).

Bronze statutes, a collection of vases, lamps, amphorae, and coins were discovered on the site.

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