Assessing the Jebala Region (N.W. Algeria) Ancient Mountainous Settlements' Historical and Archeologic Significance

Abstract

Jebala (Tlemcen district -Algeria) is one of the historical and cultural regions very rich in traditional rural villages. The strategic location of this region, in the heart of the Traras Mountains, made it one of the leading destinations of many Berber and Arab tribes. Its historical importance was greatly influenced by constructing the historical cities of Ternana and Nedroma in the Jebala territory. This factor had greatly affected these cities, both historically and from an urban point of view. Later after the fall of Ternana in the third century of the Hegira (X century), the tribes living in the city for many years were dispersed all around the Jebala region in where they built several rural villages. They attracted the attention of the French explorer interested in the rural heritage of the Tlemcen surrounding areas. However, literature review of these villages is still very scarce. Thus, this article tries to fill the gap in these villages' historical and archaeological importance. The study had explored the region and has identified and studied the Jebala Berber villages, which are four: Matila, El-Ayoun, M'sifa and El-Yakoubi zaouia.