Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇲🇦 Fès-Meknès, Volubilis, Morocco
About
About Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall
Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall in Fès-Meknès, Volubilis, Morocco is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 34.0720N -5.5530E controls access to Fès-Meknès resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Fès-Meknès, Volubilis, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1989 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall main structure
c. 1929
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1989–2019
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
34.0720° N · 5.5530° W · 283 m · 3 mapped features
Volubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
34.0728° N · 5.5521° WVolubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
34.0710° N · 5.5537° WVolubilis House of Orpheus Mosaic Hall — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
34.0735° N · 5.5518° W