Algerian Radio
The eleventh archaeological excavation campaign at the prehistoric site of "Tighenif Man" recently began in the commune of Tighenif (Mascara wilaya), according to a statement from the wilaya's Directorate of Culture and Arts published this past Sunday.
According to the same source, this operation, conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Arts, is led by Professor Mohamed Sahnouni, a researcher at the National Center for Prehistoric, Anthropological, and Historical Research (CNRPAH) in Algiers. He is accompanied by a team of researchers and archaeological specialists from the same center, as well as archaeology students from several of the country’s universities.
These excavations include advanced and in-depth prospecting and archaeological research across various areas of the Tighenif Man prehistoric site.
This campaign, which will continue until the end of June, aims to enrich the field research already conducted at the site and to confirm its historical dating, estimated at 1.4 million years. This timeline was determined during previous excavation campaigns led by the same researcher between 2013 and 2025, the statement specified.
Items and samples collected at the site will be transferred to the CNRPAH to undergo thorough scientific analysis and study by a team of specialized researchers under the direction of Professor Mohamed Sahnouni.
The same source indicated that a detailed report presenting the scientific results of this work will be submitted to the Directorate of Culture and Arts.
As a reminder, the prehistoric site of Tighenif Man, located in the commune of Tighenif (approximately 20 km south of the city of Mascara), covers an area of more than one hectare and is classified as a national cultural heritage site.
