Archaeologists Unearth 4,000-Year-Old Burial Sites

According to a study released on May 13 in the journal *, archaeologists excavating in Morocco have discovered three distinct ancient cemeteries, which include a stone burial site estimated to be around 4,000 years old. African Archaeological Review .

Research indicates that the burial grounds situated in the Tangier Peninsula exhibit a "diverse array of funeral practices" within an ancient society. So far, minimal research efforts have focused on uncovering the historical aspects of these burials. The report pointed out, "Unfortunately, it remains unfortunate that the late prehistoric funerary and ceremonial landscapes across much of North Africa west of Egypt continue to be among the most poorly documented regions in the Mediterranean, even after two centuries of exploration."

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In their search for sites ranging from 3,000 B.C. to 500 B.C., researchers uncovered three locations containing "cist burials." These types of graves involve cutting a hollow into rocks where bodies were then interred, covered with stone slabs as markers. Lead author Hamza Benattia noted that constructing these tombs probably demanded considerable time and labor. Live Science , remarking on the challenge of cutting stone.

Utilizing radiocarbon dating techniques, Benattia along with the remaining members of the team examined remains found within one of the tombs and concluded that it was constructed approximately around 2000 B.C. This represents the initial instance where radiocarbon dating has been employed to study a burial site located in Northwestern Africa.

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Among the discoveries were about a dozen shelters adorned with rock art on their walls. This artwork includes not only geometric patterns but also depictions of what appear to be humans or supernatural beings, thought by experts to represent ancient deities or community members. The study highlighted several noteworthy engravings featuring “eight overlapping triangles,” referred to locally as ‘bi-triangulars.’ Similar designs were identified by researchers working in Ibiza; these images are frequently seen as humanoid forms and occasionally recognized as female representations, according to Benattia.

Benattia observed that these findings indicate to researchers that the "ritual landscapes of the Tangier Peninsula are much more intricate and extensive than earlier believed...showing strong similarities with those from late prehistoric southern Iberia and the Sahara region."

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