Volubilis

The roman ruins of  Volubilis (an UNESCO world heritage site) are about 30km from Meknes and are located in was was then and still is today the fertile olive growing area. About half of the 40 hectares are excavated- it goes on and on- apparently 20,000 people lived in the city at its peak. Originally settled by the Carthaginian traders in the 3rd century BC and was one of the Roman Empires most remote outposts. Eventually abandoned around 280 AD when the neighboring Berber tribes asserted themselves, the remaining population of Berbers, Greeks, Syrians and Jews continued to speak Latin until the arrival of Islam. Volubilis continued to be inhabited until the 18th century when it's marble was stolen for the palaces of Moulay Ismail in Menkes and then the earthquake of 1755 took down the rest of the city. Again the contrast of the old and new- the remains of a Roman olive press and the "modern" merchant selling olives on the side of the road (see photos).