Archaeological site of Tamuda

The archaeological site of Tamuda is located on the right bank of the Martil River, southwest of Tetouan. It lies along the national road connecting Tetouan and Chefchaouen. This remarkable site, nestled on the slopes of the Rif Mountains and the fertile banks of the Martil River, was once home to the thriving city of Tamuda. Most experts agree that the name Tamuda has Amazigh origins, derived from the word Tamda, meaning a swamp connected to a river. The earliest known reference to the city appears on locally minted bronze coins from the first century BCE, inscribed in Neo-Punic script as (TMT, TMD, TMDA, TMGDT). Similarly, Pliny the Elder (79 CE) briefly mentions the Tamuda River and a city of the same name in his work Natural History. However, later geographers such as Pomponius Mela (45 CE) and Ptolemy (168 CE) mention the Tamuda River but omit any reference to the city, as it had already been destroyed by the mid-first century CE. By the fifth century CE, the Notitia Dignitatum, a directory of senior Roman military and civilian officials, listed the Alae Herculae, a Roman frontier unit stationed at Tamuco (the current site of Tamuda). The Spanish scholar César Luis de Montalban successfully rediscovered the city of Tamuda in 1921, after several attempts by geographers and archaeologists to locate it. Since then, Moroccan and Spanish researchers have conducted archaeological excavations at the site. Archaeological Discoveries The excavations have uncovered remains from two distinct periods: the Mauritanian and Roman eras. The Mauritanian Era Archaeological evidence reveals that the city of Tamuda covered at least 5 hectares during the Mauritanian period. The city experienced significant cultural development and prosperity, reaching its peak during the first and second centuries BCE. Tamuda displayed advanced urban planning, characteristic of Hellenistic cities, with its streets and buildings likely constructed in a single phase. The city also developed local craftsmanship, such as pottery and minting its own currency, which bore the names of Mauritanian kings in the Neo-Punic language. Its river port and proximity to the sea facilitated trade with the Iberian Peninsula and other Mediterranean regions. In its final century, Tamuda was destroyed twice. After barely recovering from the first destruction around 38 BCE, the city was completely razed in 40 CE by Roman forces. This occurred following the assassination of the last Mauritanian king, Ptolemy, and the subsequent Aedemon revolt. The Roman Empire, under Emperor Claudius, then annexed the Mauritanian kingdom. The Roman Era After its destruction, the Romans constructed a watchtower on part of the ruins of the Mauritanian city. This watchtower, dated to the mid-first century CE, remained in use until the fifth century CE. The Roman fort of Tamuda, which replaced the earlier city, was square in shape, with sides measuring between 91 and 99 metres. It covered a total area of 9,000 square metres and featured a defensive system that included four gates, each facing a cardinal direction, along with walls and twenty towers. Mode Recognition and Conservation In 2005, the Ministry of Culture classified the Tamuda archaeological site as a national monument. This designation was followed by the launch of research and restoration initiatives, including scientific archaeological programmes. These efforts aim to update historical knowledge about Tamuda, restore its archaeological remains, and make the site accessible to visitors. Tamuda continues to stand as a testament to Morocco’s rich and layered history, offering insights into the ancient Mauritanian civilisation and the Roman Empire’s expansion into North Africa.