The Ksar of Tamentit is an ancient architectural complex located 12 km south of the city of Adrar, in the Algerian Sahara. It is considered one of the oldest ksour (plural of ksar) in the region, potentially dating back to prehistoric times.
Architecture and Composition
The Ksar spans an area of over 8 hectares and includes approximately 400 family homes. It consists of several kasbahs, the most important of which are:
- Kasbah Tahiqah
- Kasbah of Ouled Ali bin Moussa
- Kasbah of Tofaghi
- Kasbah of Ouled M’hamed
- Kasbah of Ouled Daoud
- Kasbah Taylot
- Kasbah of Ouled Iali
- Kasbah of Ouled Yacoub
- Kasbah of Bou Salah
Each kasbah typically includes dwellings, a mosque, defensive walls, watchtowers, alleys, and corridors. The ksar is surrounded by vast palm groves and a defensive trench locally called “Ahfir”.
Architectural Features
The houses of the Ksar of Tamentit typically consist of three levels:
- A basement (in some houses)
- A ground floor
- A terrace
The first two levels serve as living spaces during the day and night in winter, but only during the day in summer. The terrace is used for sleeping on summer nights.
The entrance of each house generally opens onto a spacious living room surrounded by two or three rooms with small openings. A central hall and a storage room often complete the layout.
Building Materials
The Ksar of Tamentit is primarily constructed of adobe, a type of raw earth brick. A unique feature of this ksar is the use of “saline” adobe, made from a mixture of clay and naturally sulfate-rich sand. This technique gives the walls better resistance to weather and improves their mechanical properties.
The exterior walls are covered with a layer locally called “Agharf,” composed of clay mixed with saline sand, which further enhances the structure’s durability.
Thermal Performance
Thanks to the considerable thickness of the walls (25 to 45 cm) and the thermal properties of adobe, the houses of the Ksar of Tamentit offer excellent thermal comfort. Measurements have shown that the indoor temperature remains relatively stable (between 30 and 33°C in summer) despite outdoor temperatures exceeding 48°C.
Cultural Heritage
The Ksar of Tamentit is a testament to the ingenious adaptation of humans to a hostile desert environment. Its architecture reflects the influences of various communities, including Berbers, Zenetes, Arabs, and Jews, who have settled there over the centuries. In 2016, the Algerian government took measures to protect and preserve this unique heritage by creating a safeguarded sector encompassing the old Ksar of Tamentit.
The Ksar of Tamentit is an ancient architectural complex located 12 km south of the city of Adrar, in the Algerian Sahara. It is considered one of the oldest ksour (plural of ksar) in the region, potentially dating back to prehistoric times.
Architecture and Composition
The Ksar spans an area of over 8 hectares and includes approximately 400 family homes. It consists of several kasbahs, the most important of which are:
- Kasbah Tahiqah
- Kasbah of Ouled Ali bin Moussa
- Kasbah of Tofaghi
- Kasbah of Ouled M’hamed
- Kasbah of Ouled Daoud
- Kasbah Taylot
- Kasbah of Ouled Iali
- Kasbah of Ouled Yacoub
- Kasbah of Bou Salah
Each kasbah typically includes dwellings, a mosque, defensive walls, watchtowers, alleys, and corridors. The ksar is surrounded by vast palm groves and a defensive trench locally called “Ahfir”.
Architectural Features
The houses of the Ksar of Tamentit typically consist of three levels:
- A basement (in some houses)
- A ground floor
- A terrace
The first two levels serve as living spaces during the day and night in winter, but only during the day in summer. The terrace is used for sleeping on summer nights.
The entrance of each house generally opens onto a spacious living room surrounded by two or three rooms with small openings. A central hall and a storage room often complete the layout.
Building Materials
The Ksar of Tamentit is primarily constructed of adobe, a type of raw earth brick. A unique feature of this ksar is the use of “saline” adobe, made from a mixture of clay and naturally sulfate-rich sand. This technique gives the walls better resistance to weather and improves their mechanical properties.
The exterior walls are covered with a layer locally called “Agharf,” composed of clay mixed with saline sand, which further enhances the structure’s durability.
Thermal Performance
Thanks to the considerable thickness of the walls (25 to 45 cm) and the thermal properties of adobe, the houses of the Ksar of Tamentit offer excellent thermal comfort. Measurements have shown that the indoor temperature remains relatively stable (between 30 and 33°C in summer) despite outdoor temperatures exceeding 48°C.
Cultural Heritage
The Ksar of Tamentit is a testament to the ingenious adaptation of humans to a hostile desert environment. Its architecture reflects the influences of various communities, including Berbers, Zenetes, Arabs, and Jews, who have settled there over the centuries. In 2016, the Algerian government took measures to protect and preserve this unique heritage by creating a safeguarded sector encompassing the old Ksar of Tamentit.
