A Moroccan-French archaeological mission has been awarded the «Inrap - RAN Prize for the Preservation by Study of Mediterranean Archaeological Heritage» on October 19 in Narbonne, France. The award recognizes their work on medieval Almohad sites in Morocco, including Igiliz, Tit, and Tinmal. According to a press release from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), the award was presented to the scientific and technical leaders of the mission during the 12th edition of the Meetings of Archaeology of Narbonne. The mission is led by the National Institute of Archaeological and Heritage Sciences (INSAP) of Morocco and the Casa de Velázquez in Madrid, in cooperation with several Moroccan, French and Spanish institutions. The archaeological mission, titled «Almohad Sanctuaries and Fortresses», aims to explore emblematic 12th and 13th century sites in Morocco. In addition to extensive excavations, the mission has used pedestrian and aerial surveys, orthophotography, 3D scanning and geographic information systems to document the sites. Despite a devastating earthquake in 2023 that interrupted work at Tinmal, the mission has adapted its approach and resumed research this fall.
