Valonae

Valonae

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Cesar Luis de Montalban was to my knowledge the first to place Valonae as Phoenician settlement on the map in his "Central Monumento Historicos y Artisticos". He also sees Carthaginian and Roman presence. He still uses the name Valonae. It is located between Punta Cires and Punta Ferdina. This was in the time of the Spanish protectorate over the Rif.

There are actually two different locations at a short distance from each other. To Sahara were found two basins of 2.85 meters by 1.50 meters. They have a semi-cylindrical shape as opposed to the later Roman rectangular shapes. If it is indeed from the 3rd century BC descended, then it must have been a Punic residence. The vast majority, however, dates back to the Roman period.

At the mouth of the Oued el Kazar is the town Alcazarsegher (Valonae). Now called the Ksar ash -Segir either the castle on the segir (Kazar). Ps.Skylax mentions only Λνή, as "a city on a river." There are clear traces of an ancient settlement where the Roman and Arabic relics predominate. Across the river we find the fish processing place with basins of 1.38 meters by 1.30 meters and there is also one with a length of 2.80 meters. The latter is in connection with a trough with a semi-circular basin. In addition, there are other reservoirs, one of which visible for the half and three others are hardly visible. Furthermore, at this place is found a grave with content. All this stems from the 3rd and 2nd century AD.

The place is probably and primarily been exploited by the Romans, but we still have more strings to our bow in this regard. More about that later.

Ceramics stems mainly from the 2nd and 3rd century AD, but the grave is in the 4th century AD mined. After that, the place is deserted.

In Phoenicia Itineraria of E.Lipinski (Leuven 2004) recalled that even Ptolemy in vague terms has a notice about "the mouth of the river" and that might relate the names Λνή and Oύαλωνος on the same place. He then establishes a connection with Lau west of Melilla, but this seems to be a very assumption. What do stitch can hold the further word / name explanation, but this is an assumption as well. The full Greek name might be Λουάλωνος with shortened form Λνή. It is the Phoenician name hidden from Luah-'ilon = stone table of god.

Lḥ = Luah (Heb) translates Krahmalkov (Dictionary, Leuven 2000) with "stone tablet on which the inscription is shown”. We combine this data with the text of ps.Skylax, in which he argues that Lue is located opposite the islands of Gades. This should be a big mistake in the (real?) texts of Skylax (c.500 BC), but since we only have one excerpt of a later date at our disposal, it is  understandable. The passage of Lue belongs between the provisions of Ceuta and Tangier. Lipinski (Itinerario) therefore gives the following order:

- Lue, a city on a river -> Alcazarsegher = stone table of god

- Krabis river -> Wad al-Ksar of Wad Moghogu or Wad Melaleh.

The name Krabis is very similar to Curubis and Carpis, both located at Cape Bon and they appear to be Semitic.

If prior thoughts will prove to be correct, then the Ksar es segir has thus more than just a Roman past. Until now, however, there are only Roman (and Arab) discoveries, but through the naming is still the suspicion arose that there is more to it. And so will the naming used by Montalban (Valonae) has a very special meaning. I assume that the Romans here in Sahara and Valonae were building on older Mauritanian, Phoenician or Punic constructions, for which the final proof as yet lacking.

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                          PHOENICIAN - PUNIC DICTIONARY Charles R.Krahmalkov. OLA 90. Studia Phoenicia XV.

                          Uitgeverij Peeters en Departement Oosterse studies. Leuven 2000.

Mapa arqueologico de la zona del protectorado de  Espana en Marruec  C.L de Montalban   1933

Garum and industries antiques de salaison dans la Méditerrannée  occidentale  M.Ponsich + M.Tarradell Univ.de Bordeaux et Casa de Velàzquez Paris 1965

ITINERARIA PHOENICIA. Edward Lipinski. Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta nr 127. Studia Phoenicia XVIII. Uitgeverij Peeters en Departement Oosterse Studies. Leuven – Paris – Dudley, MA 2004. 

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Ceuta

CEUTA

Ceuta is situated just east of the Jebel Musa on a promontory that extends quite far into the sea. It is built on the ancient settlement Abyla that in ancient times also was mentioned as Abila, Abina or Abenna. Abenna and Abina refer to the Phoenician name ‘bn = stone. The Greeks talk about Hepta Adelphoi and the Romans call it the Septem Frates.

Cesar Luis de Montalban is one of the first who Ceuta as Phoenician and Carthaginian site includes in his "Mapa de la zona del Arqueologica protectorado do Espagna and Marruec (1933)." Ponsich and Tarradell call it as "garum' factory. They mean little further on situated Alcazaseguer. Taredell has found in 1960 pre-Roman objects.

Ceuta is a very old settlement. There are many Paleolithic and Neolithic discoveries, which were researched by D.Bernal, V.Castaneda, J.Ramos L.Lorenzo. Most finds from the Iron Age were in the sea near the coast or done in the current port. See "Arqueologia submarina Ceuta" according to Juan Brava. These are mainly amphorae and anchors. The focal points here are the northern and southern port, the cape, Benzú in the west and more in the sea halfway Benzú and the northern port.

Ceuta is called in Arabic Sabta. Pliny (NH III 4; V 18) calls it Abyla. It is located at the foot of Mount Acho. On the beach coins have been found from Gadir, Malaka, Carthago Nova, Merida and Carmona. The Phoenician-Punic port must have had strong trade relations with the Iberian Peninsula across the street, but own coins of Abyla have not been found so far.

In "La Ceuta prehistoria al fin del mundo clasico" (Ceuta 2005) goes deeper into Punic Ceuta in the chapter: "El mundo y la historia antigua del Punico Africa occidental: desde una revision Ceuta: Enrique Gozalbes Cravioto .

Jeronimo de Mascarentras (1648 AD) still thought that Ceuta was a Roman foundation. Alexandro Correa de Franca thinks Noé (Bible) is the founder. According to him, the Carthaginians came there along in the middle of the 5th century BC to destroy the place under Saphon. Florian de Ocampo (16th century AD) sees Saphon as the Carthaginian governor of Andalusia. They are all crooked minded stories, perhaps motivated by some form of anti-Semitism. The truth is that there are already Phoenician amphorae have been found dating from the 6th century BC, and that the port was immediately employed especially on the return trips from Iberia.

The Beliunex zone at Benzú provided many Punic amphorae on the 5th-4th century BC (Mana Pascual A4). In the construction of a road to Alcazaseguer actually a Punic settlement came to light.

We already have many names for the place  briefly discussed, but there is still one to go: Exilissa of the narrative of ps.Skylax, also called Lissa. Hecateus (late 6th century BC), the weather about Melissa. Exilissa has something to do with an old name of Almunecar (Ex).

There are many strange stories about Ceuta. There is the mountain silhouette, which would see the face of Atlas, just as we think we can distinguish a face on Mars!

Even more strange stories occur on Ceuta. So it seems the mountain Hacho has something to do with the death of a woman and Strabo hangs a story about yet another solid silhouette. Mount Hacho would look for the sailors in the Mediterranean as an elephant between the mountains and therefore called that place ELEPHAS. If we add this to the seven brothers, then a little mysterious Ceuta appear.

So we are tossed in Ceuta between fiction and reality. Benzú northwest is actually more than 10,000 years inhabited. Here numerous finds have been made and that continues into the Iron Age.

The reality is that the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC were already in possession of the peninsula with a concentration at the Cathedral with the name "Mediados" from the 4th century BC, which was made on top of the remains of an ancient basilica. Much earlier than this are Phoenician walls emerged from the 7th and 6th centuries BC.

Another reality is that Abyla in the 3rd century BC, probably was faced with a visit of Hamilcar Barcas, which makes from this place in 238 BC the crossing to Iberia in order to do business with his Carthaginian army. Even with his son Hannibal has Ceuta something to do, because soldiers of the  Metagonites moved to Spain. With Metagonia is roughly meant the area of Abyla to Rusaddir (Melilla).

Until now there have been found in three places Phoenician structures, namely on the Gran Via, Plaza de Africa on the istme and a settlement on the slopes of Mount Hacho.

Still, the significance of Abyla for the Phoenicians and Punics was lesser than its counterparts as Old and New Carteia, or even Tarifa. They were more interested in Iberia than in Mauritania. After ca.200 BC Abyla comes under the Mauritanian kingdom. There would have been no real room for an independent existence. The Romans are primarily concerned with Iberia, despite the fact that Polybius after 146 BC may hold an exploration for the Mauritanian coast. We know some Mauritanian princes who were the boss in town: Iphtas, Askalis, Bocchus, Sosus, Bogud. Gradually Mauritania is a Roman vassal state, especially among Juba I + II and Ptolemy. In 40-42 AD is the Provincia Mauretania Tingitana Caesariensis created whose capital is Tingis.

Literature:

LOS FENICIOS Y EL ATLANTICO R.Gonzalez Anton, F.Lopez Pardo, V Pena Romo. Centro de estudios Fenicios y Punicos, Madrid 2008. De Atlantische reizen.

Ceuta: Spain looking at Europe www.ceuta.com

Barcos,Puertas y Navegacion en la Historia de Ceuta. VIII Jornadas de Historia de Ceuta, Instituto de Estudios Ceuties, Ceuta 2008.

Ceuta V Jornadas.

CEUTA DE LA PREHISTORIA AL FIN DEL MUNDO CLASICO V Jornadas de historia de Ceuta. Instituto de estudios Ceuties patronato de la ciudad autonoma de Ceuta, Ceuta 2005. Vooral het hoofdstuk El mundo punico y la historia antigua del Africa Occidental. Una revision desde Ceuta, Enrique Gozalbes Cravioto.

Mapa arqueologico de la zona del protectorado de Espana en Marruec, C.L de Montalban   1933

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TAMUDA

Tamuda and environment.

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C.L.de Montalban shows on his map "Mapa de la zona del arqueologico protectorado de Espana and Maroc" (1933), that there are at least Phoenician and Carthaginian finds made in Tetuan, either Tamuda of antiquity. Twenty kilometers south of Ceuta (= Abyla) is the promontory Ras Tarf and 6 kilometers inland is the native town Tamuda on the riverside Martin. M.Tarradell (Marruecos Punico, Tetuan 1960 p.97-119) conducted excavations that demonstrate various settlements with a clear Punic impact. These are located at the confluence of the rivers Martin and Kitzan and on the old (!) estuary of the river Martin / Moutil (= Sidi Ebdselam either Sidi Abdeslam del Bahar). The latter settlement has according to Tarradell an occupation in three phases:

a. primitive period (6th-5th century BC)

b. sophisticated Punic ceramics (3rd century BC)

c. local and Italic ceramics (2nd century BC).

Another site is located near Tetuan, called Kitzan. See: E.Gozalbes, Kitzan Poblado Punico-mauritano en las inmediaciones de Tetuan (Marruecos) AntAfr.12 (1978) p.5-19. There was found a vase from the 8th-7th century BC, but this questionable.

However, the main town in the area is Tamuda itself. We know even the neo-Punic name: T m d ' t, whose origin is Libysch. The name appears on bronze coins from the 2nd century BC.

Pliny mentions the place in NH, V18 and refers to wetlands and a navigable river. Ptolemus talks about a river Tamuda and Pomponius Mela (T 29) does so with the name Tumuada. About the meaning of the name: this is guesswork. Ch.Tissot thinks it means swamp. Others refer -t to the exit, which would imply a relationship with the Canaries would. River Martin was found in antiquity indeed navigable and therefore there is a river port.

The oldest Punic remains of Tamuda dating from the 4th century BC. Thereafter, it becomes a Mauritania city with a clear Punic influence in the field of architecture, ceramics and cemeteries. An incense burner comes from the 5th-3rd century BC. There are also much Campanian ceramics and imitations thereof found.

However, quite recently, a comprehensive combined Spanish-Moroccan team began extensive excavations. In this joint Spanish-Moroccan project (2008-2012) are no less than 80 sites considered in the current Morroco and considering the Phoenicians and Punics in the Tetuan Valley they come to the following conclusions:

1. Caf Taht el Ghar (cave): Phoenician red ceramics (7 / 6th century BC).

2. Intensive occupation of the valley in the Punic period (6th-3rd century BC) with the places Tamuda Sidi Abdeslam del Behar, Caf Taht el Ghar, Quitzan / Koudiat el Medfac, Puente de Oued Malah. The place has in Quitzan a Punic residential area, where amphorae of the types of Ramon and Haltern T 7.4.3.3. have been found.

3. Continuation during the Mauritanian period (2nd century BC - 40 AD) with the places Hayyouna, Atalya the Tamuda, Menkal and all prior mentioned places. We also find a Mauritanian wall. In 38 BC Tamuda was destroyed and again in 40 AD in the revolt of Aedemon.

4. Roman period of the 1st-5th century AD. There arises a large castle and possibly a centre of pottery. In the 2nd century AD, there is a major fire. In the 5th century AD the place is deserted.

See: En la Orilla africana del Circulo del Estrecho. Historiografia y proyectos acuales. Actes II del Seminario Hispano Marroqui the especialization and Arqueologia. Coleccion de monografias del Museo Arqueologico de Tetuan (II) with contributions from C.40 people!

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Oued Lau & and surroundings

OUED LAU & surroundings.

C.L.de Montalban noticed in the thirties in the land of Rhomara at and around the Oued Lau several places with Phoenician and/or Carthaginian relics. First of all it was the Ras Targa and the El Tleta de oud Lau on the coast. Remarkable is that he found also places in the interior, as there are near Dar Akeba, Talambole and Tassor. Those last three places contained only Carthaginian findings. Why the Carthaginians went that far in the interior is unknown. There are no important mines present. Plinius (NH 5.18) called it the LAVD FLVMEN.

E.Lipinski in Itineraria Phoenicia (OLA 127, Leuven, 2004) describes the situation as follows:

“The importance of the Wadi Lau was judged sufficient to be used as the eastern border of Mauretania Tingitana in the Reform of Diocletianus, when this particular area was attached to the province of Spain and had to be clearly separated from the Moorish territory in the Rif-massif. A town bearing the same name Lau (near Kar Kouch) lies in the plain at the mouth of the river and its splendid sand beach is nowadays used by fishermen who are not afraid to run their boats aground on this sandy shelving coast. In fact their fisher-boats, called Tagarabut, can be easily pulled up out of reach of the waves, and again pulled down and launched, like ancient Phoenicians and Greeks.”

I saw the same way of using the fisher-boats in Portugal at Nazaré, where the local fishermen believe, that they are descendents of the Phoenicians!

“The antiquity of the toponym is suggested by the fact that the town bears the same name as the river, a circumstance characterizing several ancient place names in this region.”

Further to the northwest we have to surpass three capes: Ras Aaka, Ras Timezzourga and Cape Mazarri. The last one is called Ad Promunturium Barbari in the Itinerarium Antonini and Ολεάστρον ακκρον by Ptolemeus (Geography IV 1,3). Close to it flows the Oued Imsa, where not far from its mouth a Punico-Mauro settlement has been found. It is mentioned in: En la orilla Africana del circuito del estrecho. Historiografia y proyectos actuales. Actes de II Seminario Hispano-Marroqui de especializacion en Arqueologia, 2008. See : p.240. fase III 2010. Tramo costero mediterraneo II Oued Lau-Cabo Negro.

M.Kbiri Alaoui reports on the settlement of Emsa in 2008: L’établissement préromain d’Emsa. Taradell has excavated here (cudiat Tebmain) in 1966. So far there are no Phoenician remains, but a Punic vestige from the end of the 4^th century BC is combined with a Mauro village. 

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obucla e.d.

THE ALMOST FORGOTTEN CORNER OF THE RIF.

On the way to the west after Al-Hoceima the Phoenicians sailed for 40 km alongside the ‘

“Massif des Bokkoyas”, arrived at Penon de Velez de la Gomera and made perhaps a pause at the Torres de Alcala on the mouth of the Oued Frah or a little further on the mouth of the Oued Mestasa after Cape Tris. At this last oued C.L.Montalban noticed again Phoenician and Carthaginian findings. In this by archaeologists almost forgotten corner of the Rif mountains I could not trace back any excavation, which has confirmed the statements of G.L.Montalban.

From the Cape Tris/Oued Mestasa it is only 40 km to a possible next stop at the Punta Pescadores/Pointe de Pecheurs on the mouth of the Oued Ouringa. The Romans named the place COBVCLA and settled there from 30-330 AD. Again according to C.L.Montalban the place delivered also Phoenician and Carthaginian findings, as well as in the neighbourhood at Taasa on the left side of the Oued Ouringa. Nowadays the point of the fishermen is called El-Jebha.

Another 20 km to the west is the month of the Oued M’ter. At nearby is the place Maaden, where C.L.Montalban finds Phoenician and Carthaginian relics. It takes 30 km further to the west to reach the Oued Bouchia. In the meantime we pass a lone rock-island: I.Jaegerschmidt. Bou Hamed is the next finding place of Phoenician and Carthaginian relics, which are not confirmed by recent excavations. The Romans gave the town the name TAENIA LONGA, but there are different opinions about this. Unfortunately C.L.Montalban did not publish any of his findings. But, as far as I know, he was the only one who did his utmost to dwell in this region in order to find traces of the Phoenician and Carthaginian sailors. I am convinced that he did.

As the crow flies it is c.100 km between Al-Hoceima and the Oued Lau, the next confirmed Phoenician settlement.  When you follow the coast the distance is c.130 km. There must have been 1 or 2 port of calls between Hoceima and Oued Lau.

Al Hoceima

Al-Hoceima.

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After Melilla/Rusaddir Ps.Skylax mentions a deserted island named Drinaupa. That could be Alboran halfway to Spain, which was at that time most probably deserted, but this not likely. Ps.Skylax is describing the route along the African coast to the Pillars of Herakles. We most look for an island near the coast and in the bay of Hoceima are situated some islands, the mayor of which is called Penon de Alucemas. But was it a Phoenician settlement as well? C.L.de Montalban thinks so. He also indicates that at the mouth of the rivers Nekor and Rhis are Phoenician and Carthaginian findings available. The Romans call the bay of Hoceima AD SEX INSVLAS between the two capes TORIUM and CANNARVM. Is one of these islands indeed Drinaupa? There is another island along this coast: Penon de Velez de la Gomera, approx.40 km further to the west and that also deserted. Montalban puts the names Parietina and Torre de Alcala there. Here he finds Phoenician and Carthaginian findings as well.

I am not aware of any recent study who has confirmed the results of Montalban. The question if a Phoenician or Carthaginian settlement was present stays to my knowledge unanswered.

AMEKRANE

OUED AMEKRANE

Between Melilla and Al-Hoceima need have located one or two intermediate stations for the Phoenicians. Cazaza appears to be a questionable case, of whom César Luis de Montalban said in 1932 that Phoenician and Punic finds were done, but later no confirmation could be obtained. At Oued Amekrane near Al-Hoceima it is going the other way around. Montalban mentions the place Sidi Dris at the mouth of Oued Amekrane again at his cards, but does not mention Phoenician or Punic finds. We have to wait to 2004 for an Italian-Moroccan research ("Recherches archéologiques maroco-italiennes dans le Rif" Africa Romana XV, 1, 2004, p.567-604). They carefully read the present Arab sources. In the 10th century Ibn Hawkal mentions many ruins. An unknown writer of the 12th century of the Kitab al-istibsar qualifies Nakur (mouth Oued Amekrane) as an ancient city. The Caliph al-Mamoun calls on his map from the same time Nakur as a city founded by the Amalekites (giants from the east). Bakri and Ibn Idhari call Sidi Dris as the foundation of Sa'id ibn Idris. Researchers at the Université Hassan II Mohammedia and the University of Cassino and the INSAP Rabat went to work in 2001 and they first found amphorae of type C Mana r-b (Dr.18) and fragments from the time of Pompey, thus indicating at least a Roman past. Furthermore, there were found seven graves, referring to the 1st century BC. Further research is done on a hill on the left bank of the Oued Amekrane near the village of Aït Taya near the marabout Sidi Driss. Many of the ruins were used to build or reconstruct existing homes. 500 meters to the west were finally found structures with material that dates from the 7th century period - 5th century BC. In the wonderful book entitled "La Mediterranee des Phéniciens" Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 2007-2008, page 295 is then confirmed by Abdelaziz El Khayari the discovery of a Phoenician settlement, but the exact understanding of the material found missing me, however. Maybe someone can do further research on this.

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