Jedars

Jedars are thirteen Berber mausoleums located south of Tiaret city in Algeria [1]. The pre-Islamic tombs date from late antiquity [1]. The tombs are situated on the tops of two hills in the mountainous Frenda area, around 30 km south of Tiaret [1]. There are three sepulchres on Jabal Lakhdar, and ten on Jabal Arawi 6 km south of the first group [1]. The graves' size and commanding situation indicate that they were built for royalty [1]. They have been systematically plundered for many centuries, and hence are in a state of ruin [1]. Remains of a wooden coffin from Jedar B returned a C14 date of 410 ± 50 CE [1]. The construction of the jedars is linked to the rise of a new elite that emerged during the disintegration of the Roman Empire in the 5th century [1].