Artifacts Dating Back to Byzantine and Islamic Periods Discovered in Algeria

The Algerian Center for Research in Archeology announced Tuesday the discovery of artifacts and graves dating back to the Byzantine and Islamic periods at the Qasr Baghay archaeological site in eastern Algeria. Kamal Madad, head of the scientific excavation project held at Qasr Baghay, said in media statements that the artifacts found dated back to the Byzantine (7th to 8th century AD) and Islamic eras during the 15th century AD. He pointed out that the explorations that indicated the Islamic period came through the discovery of skeletons and remains of people who were buried in the Islamic manner, facing the Qiblah. The work is still ongoing at Qasr Baghay, given that the project extends for years, during which excavation work is active in the fall due to the improvement in climatic conditions for the research team so that they can give a correct reading of the history of the region in particular and the history of Algeria in general, He explained. The archaeological palace of Baghay is located 9 kilome ters from the city center of Khenchela. It is also known as the Palace of the Priest. It is an archaeological site that was classified in November 1999 as a protected national cultural property, and its features are still buried underground. Source: Qatar News Agency