Recent excavations at the Oued Beht site in Morocco have uncovered evidence of a significant agricultural society dating back over 5,000 years, marking it as the oldest of its kind found in Africa outside the Nile Valley.

Initiated in 2021, the British-Italian-Moroccan Oued Beht Archaeological Project (OBAP) aims to fill gaps in the understanding of Northwest Africa's prehistory, particularly during the Neolithic era.

These findings challenge long-held beliefs about North Africa's historical relevance, demonstrating that the region had transitioned into a Neolithic society contributing to the broader Mediterranean world of farming.

Artifacts uncovered at the site, including thousands of stone ax heads, painted pottery shards, and remains of domesticated animals, indicate advanced agricultural practices and resource management techniques.

The site has yielded a variety of artifacts such as worked stone tools, decorated pottery, and numerous storage pits, suggesting a well-organized agricultural economy capable of surplus food storage.

Radiocarbon dating of charcoal and seeds from the site suggests it was inhabited between 3,400 and 2,900 BCE, providing a clearer timeline for the community's existence.

This discovery enhances the understanding of the Maghreb's role in the development of complex societies in the Mediterranean and North Africa during the fourth and third millennium BC.

The strategic location of Oued Beht between the Sahara Desert and the Strait of Gibraltar highlights its significance in the flow of people and goods between Africa and Europe during the Neolithic.

Research leader Professor Cyprian Broodbank emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of African societies to early Mediterranean interactions, which have often been overlooked.

The Oued Beht site is identified as the largest agricultural complex in Africa outside of the Nile Valley, covering approximately ten hectares and comparable in size to the ancient Greek city of Troy.

Although known since the 1930s, serious archaeological investigations at Oued Beht began only in 2021, revealing its significance in understanding Mediterranean prehistory.

The findings are expected to significantly alter scholarly understandings of later Mediterranean prehistory, emphasizing the importance of viewing Oued Beht within a broader context of networked societies.