Rock Art of Morocco

Morocco has a rich history that includes many non-written historical records such as art and music. One particular form of art history is quite impressive, the ancient rock art of Morocco. As of this writing there are confirmed over 300 different sites in Morocco that contain ancient rock art.[1] Some scientists believe the oldest sites to be about 5,000 BP.[2]  The first humans appear in rock art about 9,000 years ago.[3] This type of rock art is also found throughout the Sahara region of North Africa particularly in desert mountain areas.[4]

There are four distinct styles of rock art that also overlap different periods in history. The oldest style is Tazina, followed by the Horse Period, the Libyan Warrior, and finally the Camel Period.[5]

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[1] Searight, Susan. "Morocco’S Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013): 35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.

[2] "Morocco - Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.

[3] Jeffrey Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com, last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.

[4] Prehistoric Rock Art In Morocco". Wild Morocco | Where Adventure Begins. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 13, 2017. http://wildmorocco.com/prehistoric-rock-art-in-morocco.

[5] "Morocco - Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed 

November 10, 2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.

Some of the rock art in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco depict weapons made from metal.[1] This is an important clue for historians studying how trade and smelting developed in the ancient world. Another benefit of the rock art is the clues it gives us on how the Sahara region of Africa changed over the centuries. We can see by the animals and vegetation depicted that the Sahara region was a savannah. About 7,000 years ago the Sahara began changing into the desert it is today.[2]

Rock art was a way of communication. Unlike South Africa and other parts of the world, rock art in Morocco is out in the open and not in caves. The rocks were placed in places that any traveler could clearly see.[3] Many different types of events and animals are represented in the rock art which gives us an insight into the past. Many exotic animals such as elephants, rhinoceros, and giraffes are in rock art. Depictions of humans include battles, musicians, every-day life, and ancient religious rites.[4]

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[1] Searight, Susan. "Morocco’s Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013): 35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.

[2] Jeffrey Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com, last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.

[3] Searight, Susan. "Morocco’s Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013): 35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.

[4] Jeffrey Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com, last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.

Today the Moroccan government is advocating an increase in tourism. Part of this effort includes day trips to visit rock art sites near the popular city of Marrakesh. 

Marrakesh, Morocco

References

Prehistoric Rock Art In Morocco". Wild Morocco | Where Adventure Begins. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 13, 2017. http://wildmorocco.com/prehistoric-rock-art-in-morocco.

"Morocco - Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.

Jeffrey Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com, last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.

Searight, Susan. "Morocco’S Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013): 35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.

Geography and Features of Morocco

Morocco is located in northwestern Africa. It is located in a very strategic part of the world and is the only nation to border both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco’s coastlines together equal 1,835 km. The other two borders are the nations of Algeria and Western Sahara. Technically there is a border with two Spanish enclaves, the cities of Melilla and Ceuta. Morocco is slightly larger than the State of California.

The largest city in Morocco is Casablanca with a population slightly over 3 million people and is located at Latitude 33.588 and Longitude -7.611. The capitol is located in Rabat at 34.013 Latitude and Longitude -6.833. Two other fairly large cities in Morocco that are world famous are Marrakesh and Tangier. Marrakesh is 31.634 Latitude and Longitude -8. Tangier is 35.767 Latitude and Longitude -5.8.

There are two major mountain ranges that separate the eastern part of the country from the coastal areas. The Rif Mountains are in the north by the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlas Mountains extend north and south of the center of the country.

Morocco has a Mediterranean climate, but it becomes more severe towards the interior of the country. Not surprisingly, the majority of the population lives along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

There are three major environmental zones in Morocco. The area southeast of the Atlas Mountains is desert. The Atlas and Rif Mountains are highland areas. The areas along the coasts are coastal plains and plateaus.

A significant geographic feature is the Strait of Gibraltar. It is a narrow body of water that connects the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean and separates Spain from Morocco. The Strait is 36 miles long and ranges from 8 to 27 miles wide. This body of water has been a major factor in the history of Morocco. In 711 AD the Moors, people of Arab and Berber descent in North Africa, invaded Spain by crossing the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. The Moors would occupy parts of Spain, Portugal, and Italy until 1492. From 1906 to 1956 Morocco was a French and Spanish protectorate. Morocco gained their full independence in 1956, but Spain held on to their small enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

Morocco is rich in phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, and salt. Fishing is also a major industry because of its extensive coastlines. Unlike large parts of Africa, the coastal plains of Morocco are suitable for agriculture. Here you will find dark clay-marl soil known as tirs. A large part of Morocco’s landscape is similar to the Iberian Peninsula. There are exceptions like desert areas. Precipitation ranges from only 8 inches annually up to 80 inches in the Rif Mountains area. 

                                                                        References

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mo.html

https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco