Examines the rise of the Saadians and the political landscape of southern Morocco from 1557 to 1603.
Unlike fragmented regional studies, this work systematically covers millennia, from prehistoric rock carvings and Berber tribal formations to the medieval empires (Almoravid, Almohad, Merinid) and the early Saadian presence in the Sahara. The endpoint of 1670 is strategically chosen, corresponding to the death of Moulay Rachid and the solidification of the Alaouite state’s authority over the Saharan hinterlands before the full rise of European colonial pressures.
Jacques-Meunié examines the Saadians' need for modern weaponry, which drove their expansion of sugar cane cultivation and refineries to trade with European powers. le maroc saharien des origines a 1670 french edition top
Le Maroc saharien, des origines à 1670 - Editions Klincksieck
, published in 1982 by Librairie Klincksieck , is a seminal two-volume work by French anthropologist and historian Denise Jacques-Meunié . Spanning nearly 1,000 pages, it remains one of the most comprehensive academic studies of the Saharan regions of Morocco. Core Themes & Structure Examines the rise of the Saadians and the
It uncovered a "hidden history" of a region that was largely invisible in written records until this publication. Multidisciplinary Approach:
: The text argues that northern dynasties could not rule without controlling the Saharan south, which served as both a commercial artery and a refuge for political pretenders. Core Themes & Structure It uncovered a "hidden
: The book highlights Saharan Morocco as a vital transit point for the trans-Saharan trade (gold from Sudan and goods from the Orient) and a "departure base" for many of Morocco's ruling dynasties.