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Morocco discovers 2,000-year-old ‘Mauritanian Era’ tomb

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Moroccan archaeologists have announced the discovery of an ancient tomb belonging to the “Mauritanian Era,” dating back to over 2,000 years.

The ancient tomb which was discovered in the Moroccan northern city of Larache, includes the remains of an incomplete skeleton of a human whose body would have undergone an incomplete cremation, depicting ancient funeral rites in the region, according to documents released on Tuesday by the team.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, the Moroccan National Institute of Archeology and Heritage Sciences (INSAP), said emergency excavations unearthed the remains of the ancient tomb in February, adding that the excavation is part of the Ministry of Youth and Culture’s ongoing project to explore and protect Morocco’s archaeological heritage.

“INSAP took the initiative in coordination with the Directorate of Cultural Heritage to organize rescue excavations from February 10-17, 2023,” the statement said.

“Two INSAP archaeologists carried out the emergency excavation, unearthing the remains of the ancient tomb, which dates back to over 2,000. The tomb belongs to the Mauritanian period, which is prior to the Roman occupation,” the INSAP’s statement added.

“The architecture of the tomb was carefully designed, with walls built of well-cut stone blocks that were carefully assembled and adjusted.”

“The interior of the tomb includes the remains of an incomplete skeleton of a human whose body would have undergone an incomplete cremation.”

“The incomplete cremation is part of a rite of funeral documented for the first time in the region of Larache.”

“These data provided by the emergency excavations are likely to contribute to enriching our knowledge of funerary practices and religious beliefs specific to the rural society of the Loukkos basin during the Mauritanian period which extends from the 8th century BC to the year 40 AD,” the statement said.

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Moroccan court jails journalist 18 months over remarks about politician

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A Moroccan court on Monday sentenced a journalist, Hamid Mahdaoui, to 18 months in prison after he was found guilty of accusing a prominent politician of fraud, a verdict that has sparked international condemnation from press freedom advocates.

Mahdaoui’s case has garnered international criticism because he is being prosecuted under Morocco’s penal code rather than the press code governing journalistic conduct.

His attorney Mohamed Hedach, told journalists after the judgement that Mahdaoui who is the editor in chief of Badil.info, will serve a 1.5-year sentence and be fined an equivalent of $150,000 after being found guilty of defamation.

Mahdaoui was prosecuted after a complaint from Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi following a video posted on his website accusing Ouahbi of corruption and fraud, both of which the justice minister denied.

The accusations, according to media reports, came after the royalist Party of Authenticity and Modernity, which Ouahbi headed, became enmeshed in controversy last year when an imprisoned Malian drug dealer implicated party members in a sprawling drug trafficking case that shook the North African kingdom.

Reporters Without Borders’ North Africa representative Khaled Drareni had in October, called the prosection of the journalist a “misuse of the justice system to intimidate and silence the press.”

Mahdaoui was imprisoned in 2017 after publicly throwing his support behind activists who led protests over social and economic inequities. He was also sentenced to three years for not reporting to authorities that a Dutch Moroccan man had told him arms were being sent to the protesters. He later said he didn’t report it because he didn’t take the information seriously.

Morocco has in recent years been criticized for imprisoning journalists and activists known for criticizing the government. King Mohammed VI pardoned and released the country’s three most prominent imprisoned journalists — Omar Radi, Taoufik Bouachrine and Soulaimane Raissouni — in July.

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South Africa finally unveils improved King Shaka statue at Durban airport

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After years of complaints by the public, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has finally unveiled an improved version of

a long-awaited statue honouring legendary Zulu warrior, King Shaka.

Ramaphosa, who unveiled the new statue of the warrior alongside Zulu King, Misuzulu kaZwelithini, at the King Shaka International Airport in Durban, said the statue “marks the beginning of a renewed focus on cultural tourism, empowering local communities and attracting visitors to experience the depth of South Africa’s traditions, values, and stories.”

The 12-metre-tall figure of King Shaka depicts the man credited with uniting the Zulu nation as a warrior with a spear and shield and replaces a previous artwork that was criticised for making the monarch look like a “herd boy”.

Speaking at the ceremony, KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, said:

“This statue of King Shaka stands as a testament to our shared commitment to cultural heritage tourism, which aligns with the government’s grand vision for preserving and celebrating our shared history.”

He went on to say the statue was a symbol of respect and gratitude to King Shaka, a leader who shaped history through innovation and strategic acumen, carving out a legacy that inspires not only the Zulu nation but the province of KZN.

“It is our shared heritage, and today, we stand together to celebrate it,” Ntuli added.

Ramaphosa described the statue as a symbol of unity, integrity, and leadership for all South Africans, expressing hopes that the figure would inspire tourists to learn more about the country’s heritage and history.

Shaka, who was in 1828, is credited with creating a formidable fighting force that dominated the Zulu region.

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