The history of the Bronze Age in North Africa, particularly in the Maghreb region, has long been overlooked in favor of better-documented settlements in Europe. For decades, this area was often dismissed as an “empty land” until the arrival of the Phoenicians around 800 BC. This erroneous historical narrative excluded the rich and complex early history of the region, which has now been challenged by a groundbreaking discovery in Morocco.
In a remarkable research effort led by Hamza Benattia Melgarejo, a Ph.D. student at the University of Barcelona (UB), the first-ever Bronze Age settlement in the Maghreb has been uncovered. This discovery, made at the archaeological site of Kach Kouch in northwest Morocco, dates back to between 2200 and 600 BC, making it the earliest known settlement of this era in Mediterranean Africa—except for Egypt.
Located near the Lau River, just 10 kilometers from the present-day coast and 30 kilometers southeast of the city of Tétouan, Kach Kouch spans about one hectare and offers a unique glimpse into the early stages of human settlement in the region. This site, which predates the Phoenician arrival by several centuries, has yielded substantial evidence of continuous human occupation. The research team’s findings, published in Antiquity, challenge long-held assumptions and reveal that the Maghreb was not a land devoid of human activity prior to the Phoenician expansion, but rather an active participant in the broader Mediterranean cultural and economic networks.
The excavations at Kach Kouch have revealed evidence of three distinct phases of human occupation, each contributing to our understanding of the site’s historical significance. The first phase, dating from 2200 to 2000 BC, is the least represented but still important. This early phase suggests a form of human activity during the transition from the Bronze Age to the early stages of cultural contact between the Maghreb and the neighboring Iberian Peninsula. While the archaeological evidence from this phase is sparse, it indicates the presence of human occupation at a time when Mediterranean connections were beginning to form.
The second phase, between 1300 and 900 BC, marks a significant development in the settlement’s history. This period witnessed the establishment of a stable agricultural community, a crucial step in the region’s historical trajectory. The inhabitants of Kach Kouch developed a sedentary lifestyle, with agricultural practices focused on staple crops such as barley and wheat. In addition to crop cultivation, livestock farming flourished, with sheep, goats, and cattle becoming integral to the economy. This period represents the first definitive evidence of sedentary life in the region, predating the Phoenician influence and offering a rare glimpse into early North African agricultural practices.
Evidence from this phase also includes the remains of wooden mud-brick buildings, rock-cut silos used for grain storage, and grinding stones, all of which point to an established and thriving agricultural economy. The settlement during this time was well-organized, and the presence of these architectural features suggests a community that was not only self-sufficient but also capable of developing sophisticated agricultural practices. This marks a turning point for the region, as it becomes clear that the Maghreb was home to vibrant communities that were far from isolated.
The third and final phase, spanning from 800 to 600 BC, reveals the adaptability and openness of the Kach Kouch inhabitants. During this period, the community witnessed significant cultural and technological changes. Several innovations from the eastern Mediterranean, including wheel-thrown pottery, iron tools, and new architectural traditions using stone, were introduced. These foreign influences demonstrate the ongoing interactions between the Maghreb and the broader Mediterranean world. The adoption of these new technologies and architectural styles reflects the dynamic nature of Kach Kouch’s population and their active participation in the Mediterranean exchange networks.
The mix of local and foreign practices evident in this third phase of settlement underscores the fluid nature of cultural exchange in the ancient Mediterranean. It shows that the Kach Kouch community was not only influenced by Mediterranean cultures but also contributed to the broader cultural milieu. This exchange likely involved trade, shared knowledge, and the spread of ideas, all of which contributed to the development of the Maghreb region.
Hamza Benattia Melgarejo, the lead researcher of the excavation, has emphasized the importance of Kach Kouch in correcting historical biases about the Maghreb. “Kach Kouch is one of the first well-documented examples of continuous settlement in the Maghreb,” he stated. “It 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.” His research suggests that the region’s historical narrative has been skewed by outdated assumptions, and that the Maghreb was, in fact, an active participant in the social, cultural, and economic networks that spanned the Mediterranean.
The excavations at Kach Kouch are an important step toward a more nuanced and accurate understanding of ancient North African history. By shedding light on the Bronze Age in the Maghreb, these findings challenge the long-held notion that the region was a cultural backwater until the arrival of the Phoenicians. Instead, they reveal a dynamic, interconnected world where local communities were actively engaged in trade, cultural exchange, and technological innovation.
Benattia’s research team is part of the UB’s Classical and Protohistoric Archaeology Research Group, which focuses on investigating ancient Mediterranean societies. Their work at Kach Kouch contributes to a growing body of research that seeks to rectify the historical marginalization of North Africa in ancient history. By uncovering evidence of human occupation and settlement in the Maghreb dating back to the Bronze Age, this research provides a crucial piece of the puzzle in understanding the ancient world’s interconnectedness.
The discovery of Kach Kouch also has profound implications for the history of the Mediterranean. It emphasizes the central role that North Africa played in the cultural and economic exchanges that shaped the ancient world. The findings from this site suggest that the people of the Maghreb were not passive recipients of foreign influence, but active participants in the broader Mediterranean networks of trade, communication, and cultural exchange.
Moreover, this discovery raises important questions about the early history of human settlements in North Africa and their relationship with other Mediterranean civilizations. As research at Kach Kouch continues, it is likely that more insights will emerge about the ways in which the Maghreb interacted with neighboring regions, such as Iberia, the Near East, and even sub-Saharan Africa. The study of Bronze Age settlements in the Maghreb, particularly at Kach Kouch, is set to reshape our understanding of ancient Africa and its place in the broader Mediterranean world.
More information: Hamza Benattia et al, Rethinking late prehistoric Mediterranean Africa: architecture, farming and materiality at Kach Kouch, Morocco, Antiquity (2025). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.10