Lejdar: Ancient Berber Mausoleums

Lejdar, located near Medroussa in Algeria, is an archaeological site home to thirteen Berber mausoleums known as the Djeddars. These pre-Islamic tombs, dating back to late antiquity (4th-7th centuries CE), are situated on the tops of two hills in the mountainous Frenda area, about 30 km south of Tiaret. The name 'Lejdar' is derived from the Arabic word 'jidār' (wall), a local term used to refer to ancient monumental ruins.These tombs' size and commanding location suggest they were built for royalty. Over the centuries, they have been plundered, resulting in their ruined state. The monuments were erected directly onto the bedrock or with shallow excavation, using local limestone and sandstone, as well as recycled materials from nearby settlements and earlier necropolises. The materials vary widely, including dressed stone blocks, partially dressed blocks, natural rock slabs, old tombstones, and building fragments.French military expeditions first noted the monuments in 1842, leading to the first archaeological descriptions. Professor La Blanchère from Algiers University published a detailed study in 1882, attempting to place them in historical context, although his identification of them as belonging to the Berber king Massonas is not currently supported. The Jedars are a testament to Algeria's rich historical tapestry, attracting tourists eager to delve into its ancient wonders.