The factual basis for such legends (if any) remains inconclusive, however. What is known is that Neanderthal man was already living in Morocco over 50,000 years ago. A specimen of his remains was found in caves at Tamara beach near Rabat in 1933. This so-called ‘Rabat man’ seems to have been a boy of about 16 years old. He lived when the region was physically very different from the way it is today. Engravings on flat slabs of rock – some can be seen near Tafraoute, southeast of Agadir – show that the area was densely forested and populated by lions, panthers, giraffes, ostriches, elephants and antelopes, besides prehistoric people.

Phoenician traders

The discovery of rock carvings representing a ram with a solar disc between its horns, similar to the god Ammon Ra of Thebes in Egypt, suggests that a civilisation of sorts existed here as far back as 5,000 years ago, although archaeological evidence remains slight. We know slightly more about Morocco’s history from the 12th century BC onwards, thanks to the Phoenicians who set up trading posts along the coast. Punic remains have been found at Melilla (Russadir), Tetouan (Tamuda), Ceuta, Tangier (Tingis), Larache (Lixus), Mehdia, near Kenitra (Thymiaterion), Rabat (Sala) and Essaouira (Karikon Telichos). These were probably not permanent settlements, although a number of Punic tombs have been found near Tangier and Rabat.