Archaeologists uncover ancient burial sites in Tangier Peninsula

Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery in northern Morocco’s Tangier Peninsula, located just south of the Strait of Gibraltar. Their excavation efforts have revealed three ancient cemeteries, including a stone burial believed to date back approximately 4,000 years. This significant research, published on May 13 in the African Archaeological Review, offers unprecedented insights into the prehistoric funerary and ritual landscape of northwest Africa.

Led by Hamza Benattia, a doctoral student, the study aimed to investigate burial customs and the cultural evolution of a region that remains one of the least studied in the broader Mediterranean area. Despite centuries of archaeological work throughout North Africa, the prehistoric period west of Egypt has been poorly understood, as noted by the research team.

The excavation sites across the northwestern Tangier Peninsula focused on the period between 3000 and 500 B.C. The findings revealed three cemeteries, featuring “cist burials”—rectangular graves carved into the rock and sealed with large stone slabs. These burials represent a considerable investment of time and labor, indicating the importance of burial practices to the region’s ancient inhabitants.

Radiocarbon analysis of human remains found within one cist burial confirmed that it dates to around 2000 B.C. This is the first-ever radiocarbon-dated cist burial in northwest Africa, providing a vital chronological reference for future studies in the area.

“These burials show a rich mosaic of funerary traditions,” the researchers emphasized, highlighting the cultural complexity of early societies in the region. Such discoveries are crucial for filling gaps in understanding the social and ritual practices that shaped prehistoric communities in Morocco.

Additionally, the team uncovered circular engravings, or “cup marks,” carved into the walls of some shelters. Arranged in patterns such as circles and parallel lines, these engravings may have served ritualistic or territorial purposes. Nearby standing stones might have acted as boundary markers, reinforcing the theory that these sites held significant ceremonial and social importance.

These findings not only enrich the archaeological record of Morocco but also help redefine North Africa's role in the broader narrative of human civilization across the Mediterranean basin.