Archaeologists in northwest Morocco have uncovered the first known Bronze Age settlement in the Maghreb region, challenging long-held beliefs about when complex societies first appeared in this part of North Africa. The site, known as Kach Kouch, predates the arrival of the Phoenicians by nearly 1,400 years, proving that local communities had already developed thriving agricultural settlements long before Mediterranean influence reached the area.
The discovery, detailed in a study published in Antiquity, sheds new light on early Maghrebi civilizations, revealing that they were far from isolated and actively participated in social, cultural, and economic networks.
A Bronze Age Community Hidden Beneath the Sands
For decades, historical narratives have credited the Phoenicians, who arrived around 800 BCE, as the first major settlers to bring advanced urban culture to the Maghreb. However, excavations at Kach Kouch tell a different story. The site consists of three distinct occupation phases, the earliest of which dates back to 2200–2000 BCE.
Archaeologists from the University of Barcelona uncovered evidence of mud-brick structures, rock-cut silos, and grinding stones, pointing to a stable, sedentary agricultural society. The community cultivated crops and raised sheep, goats, and cattle, demonstrating an advanced understanding of food production and resource management.
Hamza Benattia Melgarejo, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized the significance of this discovery in reshaping historical perceptions of the region.
“Kach Kouch is one of the first well-documented examples of continuous settlement in the Maghreb and tells a very different story from the one that has existed for a long time: it shows the history of dynamic local communities that were far from isolated.”
The Evolving Culture of Kach Kouch
The settlement evolved over time, adapting to technological and cultural changes. A second occupation phase, dated between 1300 and 900 BCE, shows an expansion of agricultural activity and the continued use of wooden and mud-brick houses.
By the third and final phase, between 800 and 600 BCE, clear signs of Mediterranean influence began to appear. Archaeologists found wheel-thrown pottery, iron tools, and new stone-based architectural traditions, marking the beginning of cultural exchanges with seafaring civilizations like the Phoenicians.
A Long-overlooked Chapter in North African History
The Maghreb region has historically been underrepresented in Bronze Age archaeology, with most research focusing on sites in Egypt, the Levant, and Mesopotamia. The lack of excavations in the area has left major gaps in understanding how early Maghrebi societies developed before Mediterranean influence.
According to the study, the discovery of Kach Kouch provides clear evidence that the Maghreb was an active participant in ancient trade and cultural exchange, rather than a region waiting for foreign civilizations to introduce complex social structures.
Melgarejo stressed the importance of re-evaluating North Africa’s early history:
“The excavations at this site are another step towards correcting historical biases and reveal that the Maghreb was an active participant in the social, cultural, and economic networks of the Mediterranean.”
