Experts debate the pre-Islamic period, long considered taboo

"When reading textbooks, we have the impression that Morocco's history began with the advent of Islam in the seventh century, or, at most, the Roman presence from the first^t century", Mostafa Ouachi, a leading archaeologist of ancient Morocco declared to AFP.

Until the recent past, "everything that referred to the period before Islam was seen as a taboo, a factor of disunity or a threat to the unity of the country," he says.

But things change ...

Late March in Fes "spiritual capital" of the kingdom, Moroccan, Algerian, French, Spanish, Tunisian experts shared the findings of their research "despite the technical, financial or cultural weight always on the study of this period" , is Said Kamel, from the European Association Medistone, co-organizer.

"Today, Moroccan archaeologists known worldwide begin to be discoverers in their own country," he says.

This international conference, over three days, really represented "something new," insists Mostafa Ouachi. "In the years 1970-90, a meeting of international experts in the period was unimaginable," he said.

Other concrete evidence of evolution, King Mohammed VI initiated in 2011 in the wake of the Arab Spring, a constitution that recognizes for the first time the Berber as an official language alongside Arabic.

For specialists on ancient Morocco, it is a "legal boost and policy towards greater recognition of unknown history."

Multiple deities

The Berbers are considered the original inhabitants of Morocco. Islamised by the Arabs, they have long claimed political recognition and language in a country where they represent more than half the population.

In Fes, to explain the historical marginalisation of the pre-islamic North African society, most researchers have particularly noted the multiplicity of deities and beliefs.

These pagan beliefs, with their many statues of gods, were viewed with suspicion by the Islamic monotheistic state religion, everywhere in Morocco, which prohibits the representation of God.

These cults "were practiced in temples built of stone blocks, which are found mainly in the ancient cities, including Volubilis" says Moroccan archaeologist Mohammed Makdoun.

"There were a lot of local deities such as Serer, agricultural god whose influence has spread into West Africa," added the president of the Association of Friends of Volubilis.

According to him, "the beliefs had a strong belief eclectic dimension: there was such a juxtaposition of Roman gods with local deities."

The ancient North Africa is very present in the  ancient Greco-Romanwritings, he contnues, "The Greek geographer Strabo cites nearly 300 cities. In Morocco, we identified 23. Tamuda The main ones are, Banasa, Thamusida ..."

The opening of this part of history seems to encourage vocations. In Fes students of the National Institute of Science of Archaeology and Heritage (INSAP) Rabat, established in 1985,were among the participants .

"It was by chance that I learned of the existence of this institute. When I got my degree, I passed the test without hesitation. I've always been fascinated by the ancient world," Saoussane Yahia, 3rd year student told AFP.

"At first, I was interested in Greco-Roman Egypt. Someday, I discovered that there was also an ancient Morocco. My dissertation study will focus on this period," she added.