The mysterious "pyramids of the wall" ... monuments of Berber and funerary Algeria in the face of oblivion

Four years ago, specifically in 2016, the former Algerian Minister of Culture, Izz El-Din Mihoubi, announced the discovery of ancient “pyramids” in the “Feranda” region of the “Tiaret” governorate, which seemed strange at the time and did not shed light on these landmarks and their history to this day.

The former minister, at the time, said on his Facebook page, “Many people are unaware of the existence of pyramids in Algeria. Yes, there are more than 13 four-base pyramids and round the top, in Tiaret province called“ Lajdar ”.

Mihoubi, did not stop at that only, but added that it resembles the mausoleums of "Cleopatra Selini" in the province of Tipasa (west of the capital), and "Imdgassen" in the province of Batna, east of the country.

And "Cleopatra Selini II" is the daughter of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra, who ruled Egypt since the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.

As for Imdghasen, it is an Algerian Berber mausoleum, dating back to the third century BC.

Some research was conducted on the "pyramids of the wall", and it was found that they are funerary shrines dating back to the fifth century AD and their nature does not differ from the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, according to Mihoubi.

Pyramids are circular in shape

According to specialists, in Algeria there are many pyramids that differ in terms of time and take a circular shape with a square or rectangular base, a circular top and different sizes, and are distributed geographically across several provinces in the country.

These pyramids extend from the governorate of Tipaza (north) to Tamanrasset (the far south), and from Batna (east), to the province of Tiaret (west), which alone includes 13 pyramids that make up the so-called "wall".

Regarding the pyramids of Fernda in Tiaret (west), they have bases ranging from 11 meters to 46 meters in width, and their length is 18 meters.

Funerary mausoleums

Researchers say that the pyramids of Algeria are the landmarks of the Berber kings, meaning funerary shrines and graves were mass graves or places of worship and differ from one shrine to another, and their rooms vary according to size and may reach 20 rooms connected to corridors.

Algerian antiquities researcher Bashir Sahraoui stated, in a previous press statement, that the Algerian pyramids differ from the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico in the abundance of corridors, rooms and corridors with a square base and a pointed head at the top similar to the domes of mosques.

Sahrawi, he explained that the Algerian pyramid is distinguished by an Amazigh touch and is based on precise physical elements because it absorbs the energy in the universe emanating from galaxies, stars and other objects.

Berber in origin

Faiza Riach, an academic researcher in archeology, said that Algeria "is rich in a large number and variety of funerary monuments, distributed throughout the country."

She added, "A larger number is in the Algerian east, especially in the south and east of the Constantine Governorate, such as Ras Ain Boumerzouq, Sila, Buchan, as well as Segus, Bonawara, and others."

And she pointed out that "excavations were carried out in these funerary monuments, unfortunately, to their destruction and loss, and some of them were looted."

She pointed out that funerary tombs developed through various historical periods, beginning with the oldest ones, which were found in Kolmenata in the Tiaret province (west of the country) and Aflo Bormal in the Bejaia governorate (east of the capital).

And the researcher continued by saying, "Gabriel Campes, the French historian who specializes in the history of the Amazigh, counted more than 14 species."

It recalled the “Imdgassen of Batna” and the “Royal Mauritanian Mausoleum” of Tipaza, which the French researcher classified as “letourneux” as funerary monuments of Amazigh origin.

Faiza Riach did not hide the existence of many varieties of these landmarks called "cacophony", "timeles", "dolman" and "bazina".

She pointed out that the researchers did not mention that the funerary graves of "Jeddar" in Tiaret as pyramids, but rather there are those who classified them into two parts.

"The three tombs close together are of the Timelis type (a conical stone building above ancient tombs) and are square in shape, while the remaining ten are similar to the shape of the barbarian funerary graves called Al-Bazina."

There is an Amazigh word in decor, including domed patterns with terraces and a cylindrical base and multiple burials.

According to Fayza Riach, "the funerary tombs of Jeddar are not pyramids, but their distinctive shape is found only in the countries of the Maghreb."

Pyramids of Algeria and Egypt

Samira Mabouza, a researcher in antiquities and heritage, said, "The pyramids of Algeria are numerous and ignorant of many, and differ from the pyramids of Egypt in their geometric form."

Samira Mabouaza added, "They are mausoleums belonging to kings and at different historical stages."

"We find, for example, the pyramid of Tin Henan: the tomb of the Queen of the Tuareg tribes, in the Hoggar region of Tamanrasset province in southern Algeria."

It stated that historical references say that it was built in the fifth century BC, and is located at an altitude of more than 850 meters.

She added, "The mausoleum of Massinissa still testifies to the legendary Numidian king Massinissa, built in El-Kharroub district in Constantine province, and it is called the" Silo of Iblis. "

Regarding the name, she explained that it is inherited from the ancestors who knew this place without trying to know the secret of this name.

In addition to the two famous tombs of Imdghasan and the Numidian king, there is the pyramid "Siva", which is a tomb of the Numidian king Sivax in the province of Ain Timushent (west of the country), according to the researcher.

And about the pyramids of the wall of Bataret, she said, "They are Berber funerary monuments that were built in the fourth and sixth centuries AD and were given this name by the local population."

The word "to wall" means a wall or a wall, and the shrines are divided into two groups spaced six kilometers apart, according to the spokeswoman.

According to the researcher, the first group includes three pyramids, arranged according to the Latin letters (a / b / c). So that Tomb A is the most important and the largest and it is called "Tomb of Couscous".

The second group consists of 10 tombs with a square base ranging between 12 and 46 meters and a height of 18 meters.

Lijdar has been classified within the national heritage since 1969, and the Algerian authorities and archaeologists are looking forward to classifying it on the UNESCO World Heritage List (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).