The dolmens of Béni Messous are a megalithic necropolis located about 20 kilometers west of Algiers, Algeria. They are found on both sides of the ravine carved by the Béni Messous river, which descends from the Bouzaréa massif.
Location and Naming
The necropolis extends over the current municipalities of Aïn Bénian and Chéragas. Due to this layout on both sides of the river, several names have been used to refer to this megalithic complex: dolmens of Guyotville, Chéragas, Baïnem, etc. The name of Béni Messous, after the tribe formerly settled in the region, finally became the name for the entire necropolis. However, two main groups are distinguished:
- The Aïn Kalaâ group to the south (left bank of the river)
- The Kuster group to the north (right bank)
Research History
The dolmens have been known since the mid-19th century. The main excavations and studies were conducted by:
- Dr. Bertherand in 1868-1869
- Mr. Kuster around 1883
- Mr. Goux in 1899-1904
- Dr. Marchand in 1931
- Gabriel Camps in the 1950s
- Jean-Pierre Savary in 1969
Description
Architecture
The dolmens of Béni Messous are characterized by their simple architecture and rough appearance. They consist of rectangular chambers formed by vertical slabs supporting a covering slab. Their average dimensions are:
- Length of the table: 2 m
- Width of the table: 1.42 m
- Length of the chamber: 1.95 m
- Width of the chamber: 0.77 m
Some dolmens were surrounded by a stone circle (cromlech). An open-air access corridor structure was also identified.
The dolmens have a general east-west orientation, with the majority facing east-southeast (between 85° and 150°). This orientation seems linked to the sunrise, taking into account the topographical masks.
Funerary Furniture
The funerary furniture mainly includes:
- Molded ceramics: goblets, bowls, cups, dishes, beak vases, etc.
- Bronze jewelry: rings, bracelets, earrings, fibulae
- A few terracotta objects and shells
The ceramics show archaic shapes but also some more recent elements (turned vases). The bronze jewelry shows elaborately incised decorations on some pieces.
Funerary Practices
The dolmens contained collective burials, with an average of 4 to 8 individuals per monument. The bones were generally disordered, suggesting either prior defleshing or successive reuse of the tombs.
The funerary furniture, especially the bronze jewelry, allows us to date the main period of use of the necropolis to the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age (around 1200-500 BC). However, the presence of turned ceramics indicates later reuse, up to the Roman period.
The human remains studied show a Mediterranean population, characterized by marked dolichocephaly. Some individuals exhibit robust traits reminiscent of the local Epipaleolithic populations (Mechtoid type).
The necropolis has undergone significant destruction since its discovery. Of the estimated 200 to 300 dolmens originally present, only a small number remain today, mainly in the Kuster group.
The dolmens of Béni Messous are a megalithic necropolis located about 20 kilometers west of Algiers, Algeria. They are found on both sides of the ravine carved by the Béni Messous river, which descends from the Bouzaréa massif.
Location and Naming
The necropolis extends over the current municipalities of Aïn Bénian and Chéragas. Due to this layout on both sides of the river, several names have been used to refer to this megalithic complex: dolmens of Guyotville, Chéragas, Baïnem, etc. The name of Béni Messous, after the tribe formerly settled in the region, finally became the name for the entire necropolis. However, two main groups are distinguished:
- The Aïn Kalaâ group to the south (left bank of the river)
- The Kuster group to the north (right bank)
Research History
The dolmens have been known since the mid-19th century. The main excavations and studies were conducted by:
- Dr. Bertherand in 1868-1869
- Mr. Kuster around 1883
- Mr. Goux in 1899-1904
- Dr. Marchand in 1931
- Gabriel Camps in the 1950s
- Jean-Pierre Savary in 1969
Description
Architecture
The dolmens of Béni Messous are characterized by their simple architecture and rough appearance. They consist of rectangular chambers formed by vertical slabs supporting a covering slab. Their average dimensions are:
- Length of the table: 2 m
- Width of the table: 1.42 m
- Length of the chamber: 1.95 m
- Width of the chamber: 0.77 m
Some dolmens were surrounded by a stone circle (cromlech). An open-air access corridor structure was also identified.
The dolmens have a general east-west orientation, with the majority facing east-southeast (between 85° and 150°). This orientation seems linked to the sunrise, taking into account the topographical masks.
Funerary Furniture
The funerary furniture mainly includes:
- Molded ceramics: goblets, bowls, cups, dishes, beak vases, etc.
- Bronze jewelry: rings, bracelets, earrings, fibulae
- A few terracotta objects and shells
The ceramics show archaic shapes but also some more recent elements (turned vases). The bronze jewelry shows elaborately incised decorations on some pieces.
Funerary Practices
The dolmens contained collective burials, with an average of 4 to 8 individuals per monument. The bones were generally disordered, suggesting either prior defleshing or successive reuse of the tombs.
The funerary furniture, especially the bronze jewelry, allows us to date the main period of use of the necropolis to the late Bronze Age and the early Iron Age (around 1200-500 BC). However, the presence of turned ceramics indicates later reuse, up to the Roman period.
The human remains studied show a Mediterranean population, characterized by marked dolichocephaly. Some individuals exhibit robust traits reminiscent of the local Epipaleolithic populations (Mechtoid type).
The necropolis has undergone significant destruction since its discovery. Of the estimated 200 to 300 dolmens originally present, only a small number remain today, mainly in the Kuster group.
