Archaeologists in Morocco are expanding their research at Bizmoun Cave, a site that is rapidly emerging as one of North Africa’s most important windows into early human history. The National Institute of Archaeology and Heritage, under the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication, has begun a new phase of excavations aimed at uncovering deeper clues about how early humans lived, crafted tools, and interacted with their environment. Bizmoun Cave sits in southwestern Morocco, about 15 kilometers northeast of Essaouira. The site has already gained global attention: in recent years, researchers uncovered the world’s earliest-known shell jewelry dating back roughly 142,000 years—offering evidence of symbolic behavior among early Homo sapiens.
Experts say every fresh layer of sediment has the potential to shift our understanding of human evolution. “To study these shells, we use a range of scientific methods, from microscopic analysis to advanced functional studies,” one researcher explained, emphasizing the meticulous approach guiding the excavation. Recent findings include bones of now-extinct animals and sophisticated stone tools more than 150,000 years old. These discoveries reinforce Bizmoun Cave’s reputation as a key site for studying early human behavior, technology, and adaptation in North Africa. With ongoing excavations, scientists hope to piece together new chapters of early human history chapters that may reshape what we know about our shared origins.
