Aghmat

Éveha International is now associated with the development of project and site survey Aghmat, Morocco.
The latter is under the responsibility of Abdallah Fili, Ronald Messier and Chloe Capel.

Location and Historical Summary
The medieval site of Aghmat is located in the modern-day village of Ghmat, 30 km southeast of Marrakech in Morocco’s Haouz Province. Situated at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, this lowland site occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Ourika Valley, a key hub for trade and the trans-Saharan commercial route.

Historical sources mention Aghmat’s existence prior to the arrival of Islam in Morocco. The city was already flourishing during the Idrisid period (8th–9th centuries). At that time, it served as the capital of a local emirate before rising to the status of an imperial capital when it was seized by the Almoravids (11th–12th centuries) in the mid-11th century.

In 1070, Marrakech was founded nearby as the new Almoravid capital, entering into direct competition with Aghmat. From that point on, the city began a slow decline before being abandoned toward the end of the 14th century. The site was gradually reoccupied starting in the 16th century, eventually giving rise to the present-day village of Ghmat.

Research History
Despite the site’s significance, the study of the medieval city of Aghmat only began in 1964. At that time, a topographic survey of the visible remains was undertaken. In 1995, the site was included in a study on the origins of Islamic cities in Morocco. It was within this framework that the first archaeological soundings (test pits) were carried out, though they did not lead to further research campaigns at the time.

In 2005, a US diplomatic request aimed to ensure the protection of the ancient hammam of Aghmat, which was still visible. This gave rise to the current project, which includes several components: archaeological excavations, restoration of the remains, and site development.

Following an archaeological assessment and a pedestrian survey, excavation campaigns were conducted on the hammam, coupled with conservation work. In 2008, following geomagnetic surveys, a new excavation sector was opened in a palatial area, followed by an adjacent residential area. Finally, in 2010, the Great Mosque of Aghmat was located and progressively uncovered.

Currently, archaeological excavations are primarily focused on the area between the mosque and the hammam, which includes the ablution basin, a traffic axis, and hydraulic networks.

As part of the conservation and enhancement project, the excavated and studied remains are stabilized and restored with a focus on reversibility and readability. Furthermore, a larger-scale project has been initiated: the construction of a Research and Interpretation Center dedicated to the historic city of Aghmat, combined with the urban upgrading of the modern-day village of Ghmat.

The excavation campaigns (by year)

• 
  Aghmat – 2015
• 
  Aghmat – 2016
• 
  Aghmat – 2017
• 
  Aghmat – 2018