A groundbreaking archaeological discovery at Kach Kouch, near the Lau River in northern Morocco, is reshaping our understanding of ancient Maghreb. A team led by Hamza Benattia Melgarejo from the University of Barcelona has uncovered evidence of human settlement dating back to 2200 BCE, challenging the long-held belief that the region was largely uninhabited until the Phoenicians arrived around 800 BCE.

Kach Kouch Archaeological Project — Photo Credit: Kach Kouch archaeological project / University of Barcelona

The Oldest Bronze Age Settlement in Mediterranean Africa

Situated approximately 10 kilometres inland and 30 kilometres southeast of Tétouan, Kach Kouch is now recognised as the oldest known settlement of its kind in Mediterranean Africa outside of Egypt. According to findings published in the journal Antiquity, the site spans one hectare and reveals three distinct phases of occupation, each shedding light on how early communities established themselves in the region.

The earliest phase, dated between 2200 and 2000 BCE, provides only limited but crucial evidence of human presence—three pottery fragments, a cow bone, and a chipped stone tool. While it remains uncertain whether this represents a permanent settlement, it undeniably proves that people were active in the area far earlier than previously assumed.

A Thriving Agricultural Community

From 1300 to 900 BCE, Kach Kouch evolved into a fully established agricultural settlement. Excavations have uncovered the remains of wood-and-mud-brick structures, rock-cut silos, and stone-grinding tools, suggesting a well-organised, sedentary community. The inhabitants cultivated barley, wheat, beans, and peas, while also raising cattle, sheep, and goats. More than 8,000 animal bones have been recovered, painting a picture of a self-sufficient society thriving long before the arrival of the Phoenicians.

Cultural Exchange with the Phoenicians

During its final phase, between 800 and 600 BCE, Kach Kouch saw an influx of Phoenician cultural influences. However, rather than displacing the existing population, the Phoenicians introduced new construction methods and technologies. Traditional wattle-and-daub houses were now built on stone foundations, a hallmark of Phoenician architecture. Additionally, wheel-thrown pottery and iron tools, introduced from the wider Mediterranean world, became more common, indicating a period of cultural exchange and adaptation.

Koch Kauch daub fragments with imprints of wattle — *Photo Credit: P. Menéndez-Molist / H. Benattia et al., Antiquity (2025)*

A New Perspective on Maghreb’s Past

“The excavations at this site reveal that the Maghreb was an active participant in the social, cultural, and economic networks of the Mediterranean,” explains Benattia Melgarejo. This contradicts previous assumptions that the region remained isolated until external influences arrived.

Despite the lack of extensive research into the Maghreb’s Bronze Age history, Kach Kouch provides compelling evidence that local communities were already engaged in agriculture, architecture, and trade before the Phoenicians entered the scene.

The Mystery of Abandonment

By 600 BCE, Kach Kouch was abandoned, yet no signs of violence or destruction have been found. The reasons remain unclear, but researchers speculate that its inhabitants may have relocated to emerging settlements along North Africa’s coastline, possibly including Carthage. Founded by the Phoenicians, Carthage would later become a dominant power in the Mediterranean before its eventual destruction by Rome in 146 BCE.

A Landmark Discovery

The findings at Kach Kouch are a major breakthrough in the study of early Maghreb history. They reveal a more complex and interconnected past than previously imagined, proving that the region was not merely a passive recipient of Mediterranean influence but an active participant in shaping its own history.

Ancient Settlement in Maghreb Rewrites History: A Pre-Phoenician Bronze Age Discovery!