Archaeological site of Banassa

The archaeological site of Banassa is located approximately 17 km west of Mechraa Belksiri, in the heart of the Gharb plain on the left bank of the Sebou River, which was navigable in ancient times, according to the Latin historian Pliny the Elder (70 AD). The ancient excavations carried out at the site revealed a diverse collection of tools crafted from flint, indicating that the earliest settlement at the site dates back to prehistoric times. A collection of amphorae, lamps, and jewellery made in a Phoenician style suggests that the site engaged in trade with other locations in the Mediterranean basin as early as the Phoenician era, i.e., before the fifth century BC, and continued these trade relations during the Punic era. Between the fourth and first centuries BC, pottery workshops at the site produced a variety of ceramics, including amphorae, earthenware, and coloured pottery. Some of these resemble Greek pottery, while the earliest buildings, constructed of mud bricks, date back to approximately the third century BC. Between 33 and 27 BC, the Mauritanian settlement transformed into a Roman town known as Iulia Valentia Banasa. Although the remains of this settlement are indistinct, the urban structure of the public quarter is believed to date from this period. From the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Banassa became an Aurelian colony and remained a prosperous city until approximately 285 AD, when the Roman authorities withdrew from the region south of the Loukos River. Artefacts from the fourth century AD indicate that the site continued to be inhabited after the Roman withdrawal until the Islamic era (12th century), as evidenced by archaeological remains and pottery discovered recently in the southe quarter. The site later became a holy place, featuring three shrines, most notably the Ali Boujnoun Shrine, which still attracts visitors. Excavations conducted between 1933 and 1956 uncovered evidence of human settlement during the Mauritanian era and buildings constructed during the Roman period. Moroccan-French excavations on the frescoed baths and the southe quarter have provided new historical insights into the city and unearthed significant artefacts, including pottery. The Roman city was laid out in a grid patte, with a public square surrounded by colonnades on its easte and weste sides. To the south of the square stood a temple with six halls, while a courthouse occupied the northe side. The city was enclosed by a wall built in the second century AD. The southe quarter, constructed with an orientation distinct from the rest of the city, features several public buildings, including a southe temple and grain storage facilities. The weste quarter, intersected by the main thoroughfare, is notable for its opulent houses with colonnaded porticos, such as the House of Venus, which is adoed with intricate mosaic artwork, including the renowned Venus mosaic. The main thoroughfare connecting this quarter to the public square was lined with shops and artisan workshops. In the northe section of the public square, a grid-like arrangement of buildings housed artisan workshops, including bakeries and olive oil mills. The northe quarter included homes with colonnaded porticos, notably the house of the Masilum quarter or marketplace, whose floors were decorated with multicoloured mosaic tiles. At Banassa, the public baths, featuring frescoes and mosaics, are among the site’s key attractions. Artefacts unearthed during excavations, including inscriptions, statues, pottery, and jewellery, constitute significant evidence of Banassa’s historical importance and are part of the collection displayed in Rabat’s Archaeological Museum. Recent excavations in the southe quarter have also uncovered remains of mud-brick houses and ovens from the Mauritanian era, along with various artefacts such as earthenware, coloured pottery, and amphorae dating from the sixth to the first centuries BC. In a significant step towards preserving Morocco’s archaeological heritage, the Ministry of Culture oversaw the restoration of part of the Roman public square at Banassa between 2009 and 2011. This project, undertaken by the municipalities of Banassa and Tamuda, represents the first major restoration work since the site’s discovery in the mid-20th century. The restoration efforts focused on the following tasks: • Reinforcing and restoring the columns and floors of the public square’s portico. • Repairing the Forum’s weste gate. • Maintaining and restoring the main gate of the Roman court and its exterior walls. • Reinforcing the stairs leading to the temple, the abattoir, and the temple’s three weste halls. In 2016, significant restoration and reinforcement work was carried out on the frescoed baths to protect this unique historical feature, which still retains much of its original colourful frescoes. However, further delicate and specialised restoration is needed. This project is part of a broader initiative to preserve archaeological heritage and integrate the site into regional and national tourism networks, fostering appreciation among local residents and civil society. The ultimate aim is to contribute to local economic development while showcasing Banassa’s historical and cultural significance.