Ancient Neolithic City Discovered in Morocco Reveals Africa's Role in Early Mediterranean Societies

Archaeologists uncover the largest agricultural complex outside the Nile Valley, highlighting significant prehistoric activity in the Maghreb region.

The city of Oued Beht, dating from 3400 to 2900 BCE, is the earliest known large-scale farming settlement in Africa beyond the Nile Basin.
Excavations revealed domesticated plant and animal remains, pottery, stone tools, and deep storage pits, indicating advanced agricultural practices.
Evidence suggests extensive trade links with Iberian Peninsula settlements, including the exchange of ivory and ostrich eggs.
Findings challenge previous assumptions about the Maghreb's prehistoric inactivity, showing its integral role in Mediterranean cultural developments.
The study emphasizes the need to consider Oued Beht within a broader framework of interconnected Mediterranean and African societies.