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Rabat – Morocco’s National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) has confirmed that a historically significant rock art site in Guelmim province remains undamaged.
Nearby construction works have raised concerns about the safety of the historical site, prompting the intervention of the CNDH to ensure it was safe and intact.
The council dispatched investigators to the site on October 24, following reports on social media and in news outlets that suggested the ancient petroglyphs might be at risk.
Council President Amina Bouayach directed the regional committee for the Guelmim-Oued Noun region to assess the situation at Jebel Bouadio in the Taghjijt commune.
The investigators found that workers had extracted rocks from the mountain’s edge, but the rock engravings themselves suffered no damage.
The site is highly important as it contains petroglyphs of considerable historical and scientific value.
The regional human rights committee has notified relevant authorities, including local officials, elected representatives, and the regional directorate of culture, about the situation.
Besides authorities, the committee also engaged with civil society organizations concerned about protecting the site.
The CNDH stressed that Morocco must strengthen protection for all rock art sites across the country. The council described these ancient engravings as essential components of the North African country’s collective memory and cultural identity.
“Protecting rock heritage is a shared responsibility,” the council said in a statement, calling on authorities and citizens alike to increase awareness about the importance of preserving these irreplaceable historical treasures.
The council commended the growing awareness among civil actors, government sectors, and civil society organizations about safeguarding this heritage and local cultural specificities.
It urged continued efforts to feature how this ancient heritage can contribute to regional development.
The Guelmim case demonstrates how quickly authorities and rights organizations can mobilize to protect Morocco’s archaeological sites when threats emerge.
However, questions remain about long-term preservation strategies for these vulnerable cultural resources.
