Plain Geoglyph
Plain
Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE)·Iron Age·🇲🇦 Souss-Massa, Morocco
Wikimedia Commons · CC (see file page)
About
About Plain Geoglyph
Plain Geoglyph in Souss-Massa, Morocco is a Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE) geoglyph attributed to Iron Age culture. Systematically investigated through systematic survey and test trenching, it presents a principal enclosure with workshop zone. UNESCO World Heritage context. Construction employs mudbrick on stone socle and demonstrates distinct phasing. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Iron Age geoglyph with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Social hierarchy and elite control
- 02Construction labor organization and logistics
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
- 02Territorial marker and boundary statement
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 805 BCE
- Period
- Iron Age (1200 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Iron Age
- Purpose
- Residential and craft production
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 805 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 337 BCE
Secondary construction phase
c. 339 CE
Abandonment and gradual burial
1978
Archaeological identification via aerial survey
On the ground
Structures & features
30.3505° N · 7.6406° W · 2708 m · 4 mapped features
- Necropolis ExtensionalignmentHydraulic feature — cistern30.3531° N · 7.6423° W
- Temple PlatformgatewayPrimary geoglyph at Plain Geoglyph — rock-cut facade30.3491° N · 7.6425° W
- Enclosure WallcisternOutlier feature with geoglyph30.3535° N · 7.6399° W
- ShrineshrineOutlier feature with cup marks30.3527° N · 7.6414° W
Gallery