nov28

Last Saturday (24 November), I returned to the Rabat/Salé area to browse the ceramic artisan shops. This time I was accompanied by Graham Bancroft, a British professor in the Language Center here at AUI. He suggested that we visit the Shellah, the site of the original settlement in the area. Dating from the 3rd century B.C.E., it was inhabited by the Phoenicians and Carthiginians. From the 1st to the 4th century C.E., the Romans occupied the village, called Sala Colonia. Above left is the main gate, part of the wall built by the 13th and 14th century Merinids. Below is the Roman section, still being excavated. Above right is a close-up of one of the stones.