A close examination of Auresian dwellings reveals a continuum of architectural evolution from simple caves to the multi-storied stone granaries, The development of the fortified granaries of
Aures is thus rooted in the agricultural and security needs of the
Auresian people. In ancient times, the open crop fields were vulnerable to raids by camel marauders, prompting the cultivation of land closer to high altitude fortified granaries and the construction of terrace gardens for irrigation. The Auresians often attribute their agricultural techniques to the Romans, whose
ruins are scattered across the region. However, the influence likely extends to earlier civilizations that refined existing agricultural methods in North Africa, as historians have often identified fortified granaries, such as those in Ath Mansur and Jellal, with the ancient
Numidian strongholds, with villages perched on rocky hills and accessible only by narrow paths. These structures, with single gateways, demonstrate a modern example of
Jugurtha's treasure houses described by
Sallust in antiquity. Historian Jean Despois notes that these granaries are emblematic of the Auresian political, social, and economic structures. In Aures, power resided with the heads of families within clans and fractions, or with their elected representatives, reflecting a highly organized and
egalitarian society. These "Berber republics" resisted central control and
Arabization, with the granaries symbolizing the cohesion and independence of these small, autonomous communities. While the use of granaries as dwellings has diminished under
French colonial rule, they remain a significant part of the
Aures Mountains' cultural heritage. One notable example is the Ait Daoud clan. Their granary, which stands eight stories high, continued to be a place of veneration for their ancestral saints. Each month of May, members go there to perform a pledge of fertility, sacrifice animals, and eat a communion meal.
Design The fortified granaries of Aures are predominantly stone-built, with roofs reinforced by palm tree trunks. These granaries, often square in shape, sometimes include openings for ventilation and light, adorned with symbolic decorations that reflect the community's deep connection to agriculture and nature. High-elevation springs were used to fill reservoirs at night. Water was then channeled to terrace gardens through a network of miniature canals, ensuring efficient irrigation and crop maintenance.
Defensive role Centuries after Sallust's description of the fortified treasure houses, the Byzantine historian
Procopius shed light on these structures again, noting their use by
Iaudas, the ruler of the
Aures kingdom, against the invading Romans. Procopius describes how water canals were employed to divert water and repel the Roman forces. The tactics used by Iaudas were echoed in the 17th century in the same region. This time, the Auresians diverted water streams to flood the fields surrounding their granaries, successfully massacring the invading
Arab Bedouins in the process. == Preservation efforts ==