Over the last decades, anthracological research in western North Africa has generated significant data for Prehistoric and Medieval periods in Morocco, while other historical phases remain poorly documented. Occupied from the 5th century BC to the 14th century AD, the site of Rirha offers a unique opportunity to study the evolution of the Mediterranean landscape in northern Morocco. This study focuses on the Mauretanian period (8th century BC–40 AD), which corresponds to the foundation and development of the urban settlement.Excavations carried out for nearly ten years in a Mauretanian residential area reached levels dating back to the early 2nd century BC and studied more than 1,700 charcoal fragments from domestic contexts. These remains constitute the first anthracological high resolution reference for this period. A micro-chronological analysis reveals significant environmental changes during the 2nd century BC, linked to woodland exploitation. The landscape became increasingly anthropised, with green oak forests dominating over scrubland taxa. Riparian environments also changed, becoming largely dominated by Tamarix. During the second half of the century, evidence for scrubland regeneration appears, marked by a higher proportion of Tetraclinis articulata.These results highlight similarities in late Iron Age landscape evolution between southern Western Europe and North Africa urban areas, reflecting strong cultural and economic connections even in an inland location. The data also provides insight into urban fuel supply systems based on local woodland resources. The stable presence of Olea europaea suggests possible fruit exploitation, while the low representation of Vitis vinifera and Punica granatum raises questions about the diffusion of the species in the western Mediterranean.
- Woodlands and urban life in Late Mauretanian Morocco: first high resolution anthracological evidence from Rirha
- Jakez Moreau - Université de MontpellierChristophe Vaschalde - Laboratoire d'Archéologie Médiévale et Moderne en MéditerranéeJérôme Ros - Université de Montpellier, ISEM - Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution - MontpellierMohamed Kbiri Alaoui - Institut National des Sciences de l'Archéologie et du PatrimoineCharlotte Carrato - Archéologie des Sociétés MéditerranéennesElsa Rocca - Archéologie des Sociétés Méditerranéennes
- 9th International Anthracology Meeting, Anthraco 2026 (Thessalonique, Greece, 06/07/2026–10/07/2026)
- 99259558609311
- ISEM - Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution - Montpellier
- English
- Conference poster
- halshs-05686096