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For centuries, Sijilmassa, the legendary city of Tafilalet, founded in the late 8th century, existed only in travelers’ tales and ancient chronicles. Today, this historic city is being carefully unearthed, stone by stone, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a Moroccan team from the National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage (INSAP).
Since 2024, archaeologists, with support from the Ministry of Culture, have been excavating the ruins of this long-lost urban center. On Friday, July 25, the Institute shared the results of its latest excavation campaign on Facebook: a series of discoveries that breathe new life into a site long overlooked in Morocco’s national narrative.
At the heart of the site are the foundations of a vast medieval mosque, spanning 2,620 square meters. Originally built during the reign of Abu al-Montasir al-Yasa’ and later expanded in the Almohad era, it is now considered the oldest mosque of its kind ever uncovered in Morocco, its ancient walls bearing witness to over a thousand years of prayer, silence, and change.
Around the mosque, archaeologists uncovered remarkable architectural features: intricately carved stucco dating back to the Midrarid dynasty, as well as fragments of painted and gilded wood from the 18th century. These are the first material traces of Alaouite-era decoration ever found in Sijilmassa.
But the site’s religious heritage is only one part of the story. Nearby, researchers discovered a ceramic mold with traces of gold, once used to cast blanks for Sijilmassa dinars. This provides the first physical evidence of a minting workshop on the site, an activity previously known only through historical texts.
Excavations have also revealed a residential district dating to the Alaouite period, with twelve houses featuring patios, kitchenware, storage spaces, and even preserved date pits. These finds offer a vivid portrait of daily life in southern Morocco, shaped by agricultural wealth and bustling trade routes.
