From Al Jazeera · · 2m
Morocco's beach metal detectorists hunt for history
Hobbyists sweep Morocco's coastline with metal detectors, finding coins and jewellery while navigating laws that protect archaeological sites.
In brief
Hobbyists sweep Morocco's coastline with metal detectors, finding coins and jewellery while navigating laws that protect archaeological sites. Metal detecting hobbyists in Morocco search beaches for coins and jewellery, balancing their curiosity with legal protections for archaeological sites. Originally reported by…
The thrill of the unknown
Mustapha Harmouch, thirty-three, sweeps his metal detector across Agadir's Corniche beach, listening for the beep that signals something buried in sand.
“The excitement comes partly from not knowing what lies beneath the sand.”
From hobby to content
Harmouch bought a Tianxun TX eight fifty metal detector online about four years ago. What began as a hobby has become an occasional part of videos he posts on Stofishing, a YouTube travel and spearfishing…
Discoveries that teach history
Harmouch has found old coins from historical periods including the Al Haouz region and Fez.
The oldest find
Some of the falus Harmouch found were too damaged by salt and time for their markings to be read easily. He says the oldest dates to one thousand two hundred eighty-nine on the Hijri calendar.
Value beyond price
For Harmouch, the coins' worth lies less in their monetary value than in what they reveal about the past.
“I just collect them as a memory.”
Morocco's archaeological law
Morocco's Law twenty-two dash eighty regulates archaeological prospecting and treatment of historical discoveries.Unauthorised archaeological searches on land or at sea are prohibited.Searches for monuments or moveable objects of historic, archaeological or anthropological importance require authorisation.
Why context matters
Underwater archaeologist Basma Oumaima explains that context is as important as the object itself. A fragment of metal, a coin or a small tool becomes important because of where it was found and what was…
“Sometimes something as simple as a fragment of metal, a coin, or a small tool can become important because of where it was found and what was found around it.”
Metal detectors in archaeology
Oumaima says metal detectors can be useful tools in archaeology when used as part of proper archaeological surveys, where every find is located, recorded and studied within its context.
Respecting the law
Harmouch says he respects the law.Members of the Moroccan Association for Research and Exploration Enthusiasts carry identification, avoid private property and heritage sites and treat detecting as a hobby rather than a job.
Every person has their luck
Other detectorists like Mohamed Botaib and Jalal Zegnoune search beaches as a hobby, finding modest treasures and removing dangerous metal debris.
“Every person has their luck.”
At a glance
Metal detecting hobbyists in Morocco search beaches for coins and jewellery, balancing their curiosity with legal protections for archaeological sites.
