Recent archaeological work in Tangier, Morocco, has cast doubt on the long-held belief that a series of ancient tombs in the region are Phoenician. The tombs, located in the area known as the 'Tombs of the Phoenicians,' have been a subject of fascination for historians and tourists alike.
According to the latest findings, the burial structures may actually date from a later period, possibly the Roman or early Islamic era. This reassessment comes after new radiocarbon dating and pottery analysis were conducted on artifacts recovered from the site.
The initial attribution to the Phoenicians was based on stylistic similarities with other Mediterranean burial sites. However, the new evidence suggests that the tombs could have been built by local Berber communities who adopted Phoenician customs, or by Roman settlers who occupied the region after the fall of Carthage.
Local authorities have not yet commented on the findings, but the research team plans to publish a full report in the coming months. The site remains open to visitors, and a small museum nearby has been updated to reflect the new hypotheses.
