Urban life in early Islamic Morocco: new light from the excavations at Walīla (Roman Volubilis)

This article presents a research update from the INSAP-UCL excavations at UNESCO site of medieval Walīla (Roman Volubilis), Morocco. Though is best known as Roman city Volubilis, in Middle Ages, and by then called Walīla, it took on new importance Berber centre, probable locale an Umayyad or Abbasid garrison capital Idrīs I, founder one earliest Islamic states It only Morocco – North Africa more generally where have uncovered substantial evidence eighth-century urbanism. As such, provides exceptional opportunity to investigate nature town its transformation into, for short time, centre Africa. summary our results four seasons fieldwork that taken place so far, between 2018 2022.