We visited some brilliant Roman ruins - surrounded by olive groves and wheat fields - near Meknes. The site was thought to have been first settled around 3 BC by the Carthaginians and then taken over by the dear old Romans (at its peak the population was about 20 000) in around 4 AD. They switched off the lights in about 280 AD.
Only about half of Volubilis has been excavated so far and this is more problematic because of the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, which flattened the site, and much of the country as well.
What has been excavated is fabulous, particularly the mosaic tiled floors (in original condition) and the baths (less the Italian marble accesories). There is a very cool main street with tablets illustrating who was selling what, an olive press, a forum and basilica, massive entry gates and miscellaneus pillars and columns. Archaeologists have yet to find the colluseum, but they have a good idea where it is and just need the funding to get digging.
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