Hearing the phrase "megalithic complex", people usually imagine the well-publicized Stonehenge. Located in the UK, this iconic quaint stone circle has attracted historians, archaeologists and the general public for centuries.
There are many speculations about the original purpose of Stonehenge. Many consider this building to be, of course, mysterious and mysterious. However, the English Stonehenge is certainly not the only megalithic complex on the planet.
Mzura African complex
In fact, there are many such unusual stone structures, the true purpose of which is unknown to anyone, on Earth. For example, not far from the same Stonehenge there is a very ancient megalithic circle of Avesbury. Also quite interesting stone structures are Stoplsteinan in Norway, Karnak in France and others.
Most of these megalithic complexes are located, of course, in Europe. However, archaeologists also know a fairly large stone ancient structure located in Africa - in Morocco. This unusual complex is called Mzura. It looks no less mysterious and impressive than the European megalithic structures well known to the general public.
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Where is located
The Mzura complex is located about 11 kilometers from the city of Asila in Tangier Tetuan. Not far from it - at a distance of 27 km - is the ancient Canaanite city of Lixus.
This African stone megalithic structure is located in a rather deserted place, not too often visited by tourists. Finding it yourself, in any case, will hardly work. History buffs wishing to explore the Mzura complex usually pre-hire a local guide.
This ancient megalithic structure cannot be called too advertised among tourists. In most cases, people learn about it by visiting the archaeological museum in Tetouan. Unfortunately, the Mzura complex has not been studied too well by historians. Practically no research has been carried out in this area, despite the fact that for the first time this unusual ancient object became known to Western archaeologists back in 1830.
What is the complex
The ancient structure Mzura consists of 168 stones. Initially, according to archaeologists, there were about 175 of them at this place. Many of the stones of the complex are truly impressive in size. The tallest megalith, called the "pointer" by the researchers, is more than five meters high. The diameter of the Mzura complex itself is 55 m. There is a large mound in the center of the structure.
Warlord Quintus Sertorius
Discovered by archaeologists, as already mentioned, the Mzura complex was about 200 years ago. However, historians managed to find out, among other things, that ancient people knew this unusual structure well enough.
The Mzura complex was first described by none other than the Roman commander Quintus Sertorius back in the 1st century AD. This military leader became interested in the African stone structure, first of all, because he was told that it was here that the legendary Attila was buried, killed, as you know, by the demigod Hercules.
It is not known for certain what exactly in ancient times caused rumors that the mound in Mzura was the place of the last repose of the hero of legends. However, historians still have some guesses about this. The mound of the Mzura complex is actually just impressive in size. And precisely because of this, in ancient times, people assumed that a very large person could be buried here. Attila, as is known from myths, was a giant.
The Mzura complex and the legend associated with it impressed Quintus Sertorius so much that he even conducted a kind of archaeological excavations here. According to a legend, also well known to historians, a huge man was found in the mound by this Roman commander, whose height was as much as 26 meters. Having discovered the giant, Quintus Sertorius was allegedly horrified and immediately ordered to fall asleep back the huge body.
Excavations of our time
Modern researchers examined the Mzura complex twice. In 1930, a group of Cesar Luis de Montalban arrived here. Unfortunately, the excavations by this researcher at that time were extremely unprofessional and very rude. The main thing for Cesar Luis was not to study the history of the unusual complex. This researcher simply decided to check the legend of Attila about an unusual African structure.
Unfortunately, during excavations in the 30s, the mound of the complex was seriously damaged. And of course, archaeologists did not find any remains of the giant in it.
More professional excavations at the site of Mzura were carried out in the 70s of the last century. Of course, archaeologists failed to find the giant's remains. However, the members of the second expedition still treated the complex much more carefully. In addition, they made quite detailed descriptions of it.
Who could have built the complex?
A study carried out in the Mzura complex in the 70s showed, among other things, that this structure is identical to similar objects located in Europe. That is, stone complexes were built in Africa and Europe by representatives of the same or related cultures.
At the moment, Mzura is the only megalithic structure known to archaeologists in Africa. Like its European counterparts, this complex is divided into sectors and oriented to the cardinal points. Mzura was once built in exact accordance with the position of the Sun above the horizon during the year.
Unfortunately, archaeologists and historians cannot say exactly who and for what this unusual structure was erected. However, experts suggest that, like Stonehenge and other similar structures, Mzura is nothing more than an ancient observatory. In accordance with this stone calendar, the peoples who inhabited the territory of Morocco once carried out agricultural work.
What other hypotheses about the purpose of the structure are there
The version of the construction of Mzura by the ancient people for observing the Sun as a calendar, thus, is currently the main one. However, of course, there are other hypotheses regarding this complex. Some researchers believe, for example, that Mzura was once a kind of religious building where ancient priests performed their rituals.
Since there is a burial mound in the center of the complex, many researchers believe that it is the burial place of some important person of the ancient people. Although archaeologists did not find any remains in Mzura, perhaps a powerful ruler or head of a religious community once found his last refuge here.
Whatever the purpose of the Mzura complex, it certainly played a very important role in the life of ancient society. Like the megaliths of European structures of this type, the stones of Mzura were delivered from afar. The construction of such a huge complex for the ancient people, of course, was a very, very difficult task. And the representatives of the ancient nationality, of course, simply would not have taken up it on a trifling occasion.
Instead of a conclusion
Thus, the Mzura stone complex was of great practical importance in ancient society. Today, this unusual building, of course, is a very valuable historical monument. In addition to the fact that this structure is interesting in itself, it can also be considered proof of the widespread use of the network of observatories-calendars in antiquity.
Lazko Natalia