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«BULLETIN OF THE IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY. GEOARCHAEOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY, AND ANTHROPOLOGY SERIES»
ISSN 2227-2380 (Print)

List of issues > «Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series». 2025. Vol 51

Accidental Archaeological Findings Revealed by Forest Fires in Aïn Maimoun (Khenchela, Northeast Algeria)

Full text (english)
Author(s)

F. Tout, N. Rebouh, H. Dinar, Y. Benzid, Z. Zouak, Y. N. Benzagouta, M. Seghiri1

1 Research Center for Territorial Planning, Constantine, Algeria

Abstract
Fires significantly alter the characteristics of natural environments worldwide, impacting forest cover and surface soil properties. In the Aïn Maimoun area of northeastern Algeria, wildfires have uncovered an archaeological site. This research, conducted through field surveys as part of a damage assessment and rehabilitation evaluation by the Territory Planning Research Center, utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS, to identify areas affected by fires in 2014 and 2021. An initial analysis of archaeological signals and remains at the site was also performed. The results indicate that the area was a Roman cemetery, meeting typical archaeological and geographical conditions. Evidence includes the nature and shape of the rocks, ancient pottery, and illegal excavation activities related to treasure hunting. The findings also suggest traces of an olive press structure. The significance of this discovery is still under evaluation, as the exact boundaries of the site remain unknown. Additionally, many nearby and distant areas with similar characteristics could potentially be ancient fortifications. One of the most important implications of this discovery is identifying the archaeological area representing the population related to this cemetery. The research underscores the necessity of expediting appropriate measures and expanding the understanding of the site’s boundaries and nature. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating archaeological research in fireaffected areas and aims to draw authorities’ attention to protecting these areas. Furthermore, it encourages stakeholders to consider preserving forest heritage and mitigating destructive activities. Lastly, it highlights the significance of using Geographic Information Systems in archaeological research.
About the Authors

Tout Faicel, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: faicel.tout@crat.dz 

Rebouh Nouh, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: nouh.rebouh@crat.dz 

Dinar Haythem, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: haythem.dinar@crat.dz 

Benzid Yacine, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: yacine.benzid@crat.dz 

Zouak Zakaria, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: zakaria.zouak@crat.dz 

Benzagouta Yasser Nassim, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: yasser.benzagouta@crat.dz 

Seghiri Meriem, Centre de Recherche en Aménagement du Territoire (CRAT), Campus Zouaghi Slimane, Route de Ain el Bey, 25000 Constantine, Algeria e-mail: meriem.seghiri@crat.dz 

For citation
Tout F., Rebouh N., Dinar H., Benzid Y., Zouak Z., Benzagouta Y. N., Seghiri M. Accidental Archaeological Findings Revealed by Forest Fires in Aïn Maimoun (Khenchela, Northeast Algeria). Bulletin of the Irkutsk State University. Geoarchaeology, Ethnology, and Anthropology Series. 2025, Vol. 51, pp. 49–62. https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2025.51.49
Keywords
Algeria, Tamza, geographic information systems, archaeology, wildfires, vegetation cover.
UDC
902(65)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2227-2380.2025.51.49
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