Hamza Benattia (also known as Hamza Benattia Melgarejo) investigates the long term socioeconomic and cultural dynamics of Mediterranean Africa from the end of the Neolithic to the onset of the Iron Age (c. 3800–500 BC). He's research focuses particularly on how local communities adapted to environmental changes and engaged in mobility and trans-regional connections. Although North Africa has historically been absent from major archaeological debates and research, it constitutes a significant portion of the Mediterranean basin and may yet prove crucial for understanding its developments and dynamics.
As part of his research, Hamza has led two archaeological projects in northwestern Africa (Morocco):
The Tahadart Archaeological Project (2018–2020) explored the late prehistoric social landscape around a now-extinct lagoon.
The Kach Kouch Archaeological Project (2021–2024) focuses on excavating the hilltop settlement at Kach Kouch (2200–600 BC) and conducting extensive surveys of the Laou and Stehat valleys.
Hamza Benattia completed a BA in History (2016) and a BA in Archaeology (2017) at the University of Barcelona, followed by a MA in World History at the Pompeu Fabra University (2017). He's currently pursuing a PhD in Archaeology at the University of Barcelona (2020–2025).
Hamza Benattia is actively engaged in diseminating scientific research to a wider audience and he contributes regularly to media such as The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/profiles/hamza-benattia-2343113/articles)
