Two independent researchers from Morocco and the United States have made an extraordinary discovery in the Atlas Mountains, unearthing an estimated half a million traditional legal documents. These intriguing records, carved on wood, parchment, or preserved in reeds, illuminate the rich social, legal, and economic history of the Amazigh people.
Their findings were highlighted in an article published by Taylor & Francis in August. The researchers estimate that more than 5,000 original documents are still located in their initial sites, in addition to their private collection of 4,000 documents.
The investigation began when a Moroccan antiques dealer came across a large basket of old tribal items and discovered a “strange artifact”: a wooden board covered in handwritten messages thought to be in ancient Moroccan Arabic. After seeking insights from fellow antique dealers, he learned that this board was an ancient Amazigh legal document from the Anti-Atlas region.
Fascinated by this discovery, the researchers decided to venture into the Anti-Atlas Mountains. They explored Igoudar, which are ancient banking systems established by Amazigh families to securely store their valuables, including legal documents. Throughout their journey, they examined about 30 Igoudar, finding numerous documents—some wooden, others paper—either stored in jars or scattered on the ground.
These documents often feature historical stamps and offer valuable insights into life in the Atlas Mountains over the past 400 years. The researchers stress the critical need to preserve and study these documents to gain a better understanding of Amazigh heritage.
Although they have not yet examined all 550 Igoudar in Morocco, they believe that the Atlas Mountains could contain between 25,000 and 100,000 vaults, potentially holding up to 500,000 documents. The researchers are eager for these artifacts to be recovered in a scientific manner, with proper documentation and permits, considering their significance to Amazigh families. They also intend to donate their private collection to an appropriate institution.
