City of Cotta

 

◙ Cotta is found near the Caves of Hercules on the Atlantic coast (North West of Morocco). It is the most important ancient architectural ensemble in the Tangier region. 

 

◙ The site was first indicated by Ch. Tissot and G. Buchet who recognized in these ruins the station of Cotta mentioned by Pliny the Elder. 

 

◙ The first excavations and were carried out by C. de Montalban, but it is Mr. Ponsich who deserves the credit for having unearthed these ruins and for having provided details as to their chronology.

 

◙ Mr Ponsich worked at the site for a long time, discovering the area of ​​the fish sauce industries, a spa building, a temple, the establishment for the production of oil and the Roman necropolis.

 

◙ Surveys carried out as early as 1959 outside the factory have provided material which confirms that the site was occupied from the 3rd-2nd century BC. 

 

◙ The Cotta site represents a strategic point for coastal shipping and has been the nucleus of a human settlement since prehistoric times.

 

◙ The Cotta site contains a Roman-era (period of kingdom of Mauretania included) salting plant, which is considered one of the best-preserved establishments in the western Mediterranean.