Tue Oct 15 00:25:16 UTC 2024: ## Ancient Farming Society Discovered in Morocco, Challenging Prevailing Theories
Archaeologists have unearthed a 5,000-year-old farming society in Morocco, marking the oldest such site found outside of the Nile Valley in Africa. The discovery, at the site of Oued Beht in northern Morocco, challenges previous understanding of the region’s prehistoric past.
The site, first discovered by the French in the 1930s, was largely neglected for decades. However, recent excavations led by Moroccan archaeologist Youssef Bokbot revealed a wealth of artifacts, including thousands of stone axe heads and painted pottery pieces, suggesting the existence of a previously unknown society.
Carbon dating of charcoal samples placed the site between 3400 and 2900 BC, indicating that the society thrived during the late Neolithic period. The researchers estimate the society may have numbered hundreds of people, comparable in size to Bronze-Age Troy.
The site’s location, which would have been a natural meeting place for people of different cultures, suggests that the society may have engaged in trade with other groups across the Mediterranean. Archaeologist Cyprian Broodbank from the University of Cambridge highlights that the discovery reveals a more complex picture of the region’s Neolithic period, indicating that “this part of the world has gone fully Neolithic.” He suggests that the discovery is just the “tip of the iceberg,” hinting at further exciting discoveries to come.
The discovery of this ancient farming society is a significant contribution to the understanding of prehistoric Africa. It challenges previous theories about the spread of agriculture in the region and sheds new light on the interconnectedness of ancient societies across the Mediterranean.
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