Riga Excavations Uncover Moroccan History Older Than Volubilis

Archaeological research at the Riga site, located near Sidi Slimane in Morocco, is shedding new light on the region's ancient past, potentially rewriting our understanding of its history. A collaborative Moroccan-French archaeological program is currently excavating the site, which shows evidence of habitation during the Muretanian, Roman, and Islamic eras. This ongoing work promises to reveal a timeline that extends further back than previously known, even predating the famed Roman city of Volubilis.

“

The Muretanian levels dating back to the 2nd century BC are being excavated in the area of the tell.

The current phase of excavation, led by Moroccan archaeologist Mohamed Ekbiri Alaoui, focuses on uncovering Muretanian remains dating back to the 2nd century BCE. Simultaneously, researchers are investigating Roman-era public baths and exploring new areas based on geophysical survey data to find remnants of public buildings. Laboratory work continues in parallel, analyzing ceramic finds from the excavations.

“

The oldest settlement level here dates back to the 5th century BC, and above it is a layer from the 3rd century BC, which we dated using pottery and carbon-14.

Previous research over the last two decades at Riga, which spans approximately 10 hectares, has uncovered Muretanian structures in the eastern part of the site and a Roman house with a courtyard in the west. The current team is excavating areas untouched by earlier researchers. Notably, the oldest settlement level at Riga dates back to the 5th century BCE, with a subsequent layer from the 3rd century BCE confirmed by radiocarbon dating and pottery analysis. This makes Riga significantly older than Volubilis, whose earliest remains date to the 1st century BCE.

“

These are two very important levels, as they are older than Volubilis, whose oldest remains date back to the 1st century BC.

Among the significant discoveries is a Roman house featuring a wine press that appears to have been used for both wine and olive oil production, similar to those found at Volubilis. Evidence suggests this facility was destroyed by fire in the 3rd century CE. The site also reveals later occupation layers from the late Roman period (4th-5th centuries CE), the early Islamic period (around the 9th century CE), and even the Marinid period (14th century CE), indicating continuous settlement and activity over millennia. The ongoing work at Riga is crucial for understanding the depth and complexity of Morocco's ancient history, offering a unique perspective distinct from the more widely studied Roman sites.

“

We have identified the house in the early 20th century by other researchers like Louis Chatelain, and we have primarily excavated in areas that older researchers did not reach.