في دائرة الضوء
The museum balances two roles:“ preservation and display” on the one hand and“ historical interpretation” on the other. When a museum simply collects and categorizes objects, it functions as a visual repository. However, when it provides context for these objects, it assumes a scholarly role, transforming physical remains into an engaging historical narrative. The selection, classification, display, and interpretation reflect a particular reading of the past. The history of Moroccan archaeological museums reveals an evolving approach, from collecting antiquities during the Protectorate period to updating displays with new knowledge. This raises questions: How have these museums shaped how Morocco’ s history is read and represented? And how can these institutions remain relevant by incorporating new insights and refreshing their museological narratives?
The Emergence and Expansion of Archaeological Museums in Morocco
Museum of History and Civilization, Rabat © National Foundation of Museums of Morocco
The development of museums and archaeological collections was closely tied to the growth of archaeology and to colonial expansion, which involved conducting surveys and excavations and collecting artifacts. Interest in antiquities was intertwined with colonial powers’ aim to understand the territories they controlled and to classify their past, often focusing on classical antiquity, especially the Roman period. This approach was introduced in Morocco in the early twentieth century, alongside the establishment of antiquities services and a surge in archaeological excavations in the French, Spanish, and international zones. Upon independence, Morocco inherited a network of eight museums, including archaeological institutions and others then described as ethnographic museums. Most of these museums were housed in historic buildings, while those in Rabat and Tetouan were closely linked to field research and the preservation of archaeological finds.
The Museum of History and Civilizations in Rabat was Morocco’ s first museum dedicated to archaeology. Its collections date to 1915, coinciding with excavations initiated by the French Protectorate administration at Volubilis and other archaeological sites. The main structure of the present building was constructed in the 1920s to house the Protectorate’ s Antiquities Service, and its initial collection, assembled in the 1930s, comprised finds from Volubilis, Banasa, and Thamusida. Later, its holdings expanded to include finds from Chellah and prehistoric sites such as Dar es-Soltan and Oued Beht. After independence, the museum added more collections from Volubilis and, in 1960, was reorganized and reopened as the National Archaeological Museum. In 2014, the National Foundation of Museums assumed its management, and in 2017 it reopened under its current name.
Today, the museum takes visitors on a journey from prehistory through the Islamic periods, including the Phoenician, Mauretanian, and Roman eras. Its collection includes stone tools, ceramics, and coins, as well as inscriptions, architectural elements, and sculptures. Their significance extends beyond aesthetics: they document ways of life, beliefs, and interactions that helped shape the country’ s history. The current exhibition seeks to redefine the museum’ s narrative by offering a more comprehensive
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