In the heart of a vast, desolate expanse of the Algerian desert, amidst the stark white sands of Beida, lies the ancient archaeological city of Sedrata. This historical site, once adorned with palaces and surrounded by lush gardens, is now buried beneath towering dunes and remnants of palm oases. Sedrata, situated in southern Algeria, narrates the tale of human resilience against the harshness of nature and adaptation to it.
Accompanied by residents from the city of Ouargla, located 800 km south of Algiers, we ventured to the ancient city obscured by shifting sands. For centuries, Sedrata was a bustling metropolis before it was swallowed by the desert. Upon arriving in our four-wheel drive vehicles—essential for navigating the region’s terrain—we were greeted by an expansive, flat desert landscape. The profound silence and calm of this place, with no signs of life or movement, was striking. The initial impression of this remote site, situated about 14 km from the center of Ouargla, might not convey its true essence. It beckons visitors to delve deeper into its mysteries. As with many unique landmarks, a thorough understanding of desert civilizations is essential for the curious traveler.
The Berber inhabitants of the city refer to their ancient settlement as “Esdraten.” It continues to intrigue researchers, particularly foreign scholars and orientalists who have dedicated themselves to exploring its ruins.
Historical records describe Sedrata as one of the major Algerian cities during the Middle Ages. It was renowned for its distinctive urban features and abundant water sources. After the destruction of their capital, Tehrt (northeast of Algiers) by the Fatimids, the Rustamids, Berbers, and Ibadis contributed to the construction of these palaces. For years, the city’s existence remained a subject of debate among scholars—some dismissed it as a myth, while others accepted its historical demise based on evidence such as stone tools found south of Sidrath, indicating its presence in the post-Stone Age and Neolithic periods.
The debate surrounding Sedrata’s existence continued, with some researchers denying it outright and others, though acknowledging its historical significance, failing to find substantial evidence. The city’s hidden location and the difficulty in gathering evidence added to the challenge. However, orientalists, confident in their historical sources, conducted excavations to uncover clues about the city. John Letio, among others, traced the city’s origins to the early Hijri era, suggesting that Muslims from Nafusa Mountain had settled in the area, which was known for its commercial activity. Despite this, concrete evidence was lacking, and the city increasingly became a myth.
The arrival of French forces in Algeria and their occupation of Ouargla shifted focus to Sedrata. Researchers and travelers, drawn by the allure of its mysteries, began to uncover the city’s secrets. Marguerite and others made significant contributions to revealing the city’s importance and wealth.
Foreign researchers, equipped with resources and belief in their historical information, eventually managed to uncover Sedrata’s ruins. The city, buried under desert sands and obscured for centuries, revealed its treasures and antiquities. The researchers undertook extensive excavation efforts to uncover the city’s features and map its total area. They discovered a range of buildings within an area of approximately two square kilometers, surrounded by hills and protected by natural defensive barriers.
The choice of Sedrata’s location underscores its defensive nature, serving as a refuge for those fleeing the destruction of Tehrt by nomadic tribes. The city’s walls were constructed on flat, difficult terrain, providing a formidable defense. The city’s strategic position at the crossroads of trade routes contributed to its growth and the development of a sophisticated civilization, with visible remnants to this day.
Residents of Ouargla annually visit Sedrata in the spring, celebrating their ancestors’ history and inspecting the ruins. These visits serve as a reminder of the city’s past and a call to protect it from vandalism and looting. The site, a crucial part of the region’s heritage, faces ongoing threats of destruction and expansion.
As evening fell over Ouargla, the whispers of the past seemed to emerge from the sands of Sedrata, reflecting the experiences of those who once thrived there. The sounds of lamentation echoed the nostalgia for a bygone era when the city was a vibrant oasis in the desert, before it succumbed to the encroaching sands.
