# Ksour

> A digital synthesis archive of earthen architectural heritage across the Saharan-Maghreb region: kasbahs, ksour, igherman, agadirs, tighremts, and ghorfas across Morocco, Mauritania, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Mali, and Niger.

Ksour aggregates the fragmented corpus of institutional and academic work
documenting earthen architectural heritage across the Saharan-Maghreb. It
does not produce original fieldwork. It synthesises existing institutional
and academic work and attributes every claim to a source.

The archive is published as institutional editorial voice. Individual
researchers and authors are not named in public output; institutional
attribution stands in place of bylined authorship.

Phase 1: Morocco-deep, other regions sketched.

## Licence and required attribution

Copyright: © 2025–2026 Ksour Archive.
Licence: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) (CC BY 4.0) — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
SPDX: CC-BY-4.0
Usage policy: https://www.ksour.org/use
Rights reservation (TDMRep, EU Directive 2019/790): https://www.ksour.org/.well-known/tdmrep.json

Reuse — including reuse, summarisation, indexing, retrieval, embedding,
and use as training data by AI systems — is permitted under CC BY 4.0
**only with attribution**. Required attribution elements, in any reuse:

  1. Credit "Ksour Archive" as the source of the synthesis.
  2. The specific source URL on `https://www.ksour.org` from which the material was
     derived (where the medium permits a hyperlink).
  3. The licence name "CC BY 4.0" with a link to https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
  4. Where a factual claim is restated, onward attribution to the
     underlying source(s) cited in the entity's References panel.

Reuse without attribution — including by AI systems acting on behalf of
end users in retrieval, summarisation, ingestion, or training — is a
breach of the licence. This is the only condition on AI use. Indexing
and answering with attribution is welcomed.

## AI use

This archive is published in the public interest under the terms above.
Use by AI systems for retrieval, summarisation, and citation is welcomed
provided attribution is given. Individual researchers and authors are not
named in public output; institutional attribution stands in place of
bylined authorship. A machine-readable structured-data layer is published
as schema.org JSON-LD on every entity page (with explicit `license`,
`copyrightHolder`, `usageInfo`, and `creditText` properties); a
sitemap is published at `https://www.ksour.org/sitemap.xml`; a flat full-content dump
is published at `https://www.ksour.org/llms-full.txt`.

## Coverage

- Building types: 5
- Sites: 24
- Library entries: 12
- Actors (institutions, teams, agencies): 6
- Glossary terms: 55
- Timeline events: 6
- Essays: 1

## Citation

Suggested format:
Ksour Archive. (Year). [Entity name]. https://www.ksour.org/[type]/[slug]. CC BY 4.0.

When citing a specific factual claim, also cite the underlying institutional
source listed in the entity's References panel. The archive does not
introduce facts not present in its referenced sources.

## Methodology

This archive synthesises existing published institutional and academic
work. It does not contain original fieldwork. Every entity links to the
sources from which it draws. Entries are paraphrased; direct quotation
from sources is avoided.

Source-type honesty is observed: archaeological evidence, ethnographic
observation, and oral tradition are distinguished where the corpus permits.

## Routes

- https://www.ksour.org/ — home (overview, recent essays, atlas map)
- https://www.ksour.org/typology — building types
- https://www.ksour.org/atlas — geographic database of sites
- https://www.ksour.org/library — academic and institutional bibliography
- https://www.ksour.org/actors — institutions, teams, agencies
- https://www.ksour.org/glossary — multilingual construction lexicon
- https://www.ksour.org/timeline — chronological events
- https://www.ksour.org/essays — long-form synthesis
- https://www.ksour.org/about — methodology and citation guidance

## Building types

- [Agadir — A fortified collective granary, particularly in the Anti-Atlas region of southern Morocco, used to store grain, oil, and valuables for surrounding communities.](https://www.ksour.org/typology/agadir)
- [Igherm — The Tamazight term for fortified collective village or granary, broadly synonymous with ksar in usage but sometimes specifically denoting communal grain storage structures in the Anti-Atlas.](https://www.ksour.org/typology/igherm)
- [Kasbah — A fortified residence, typically the seat of a tribal leader, governor, or extended family in southern Morocco and parts of the wider Maghreb.](https://www.ksour.org/typology/kasbah)
- [Ksar — A fortified village built collectively by an extended community, with shared defensive walls enclosing a dense fabric of dwellings, granaries, and communal spaces.](https://www.ksour.org/typology/ksar)
- [Tighremt — The Tamazight word for kasbah, denoting a fortified residence built of rammed earth with corner towers, typically of three stories. Used principally in Central Atlas Tamazight regions.](https://www.ksour.org/typology/tighremt)


## Sites

- [Agadez (niger, agadez) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/agadez)
- [Aït Ben Haddou (morocco, ounila-valley) — restored, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ait-ben-haddou)
- [Beni Isguen (algeria, mzab-valley) — intact, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/beni-isguen)
- [Chenini (tunisia, tataouine) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/chenini)
- [Chinguetti (mauritania, adrar-plateau) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/chinguetti)
- [Djenné (mali, mopti) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/djenne)
- [Ghadamès (libya, nalut-district) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ghadames)
- [Ghardaïa (algeria, mzab-valley) — intact, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ghardaia)
- [Kasbah Amridil (morocco, skoura-oasis) — restored, national-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/kasbah-amridil)
- [Kasbah Taourirt (morocco, ouarzazate) — partial, national-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/kasbah-taourirt)
- [Ksar Ouled Soltane (tunisia, tataouine) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ksar-ouled-soltane)
- [Ksar Tissergate (morocco, draa-valley) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ksar-tissergate)
- [Matmata (tunisia, matmata-mountains) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/matmata)
- [Ouadane (mauritania, adrar-plateau) — ruin, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/ouadane)
- [Oualata (mauritania, hodh-ech-chargui) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/oualata)
- [Sijilmassa (morocco, tafilalt) — ruin](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/sijilmassa)
- [Skoura (morocco, dades-valley) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/skoura)
- [Tamdaght (morocco, ounila-valley) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/tamdaght)
- [Tamegroute (morocco, draa-valley) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/tamegroute)
- [Tamnougalt (morocco, draa-valley) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/tamnougalt)
- [Telouet (morocco, ounila-valley) — ruin](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/telouet)
- [Tichitt (mauritania, tagant-plateau) — ruin, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/tichitt)
- [Timbuktu (mali, tombouctou) — partial, world-heritage](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/timbuktu)
- [Timimoun (algeria, gourara) — partial](https://www.ksour.org/atlas/timimoun)


## Library

- [Moroccan architecture (Wikipedia) (2026) — Wikipedia](https://www.ksour.org/library/wikipedia-moroccan-architecture)
- [WikiKsour (2021) — Wikimedia Meta-Wiki](https://www.ksour.org/library/wiki-ksour-meta)
- [Kasbah Taourirt: Conserving earthen heritage in Morocco (2018) — TERRA Conference Proceedings](https://www.ksour.org/library/boussalh-2018-taourirt)
- [Vernacular and Earthen Architecture: Conservation and Sustainability (2018) — Taylor & Francis (London)](https://www.ksour.org/library/mileto-vernacular-earthen)
- [Documentation for Emergency Stabilization and the Integrated Conservation Planning of Earthen Architecture Settlements: The Kasbah of Taourirt (2013) — ISPRS Archives (CIPA Symposium)](https://www.ksour.org/library/ekim-2013-taourirt)
- [The Moroccan Drâa Valley earthen architecture: pathology and intervention criteria (2012) — ResearchGate](https://www.ksour.org/library/baglioni-draa-pathology)
- [Traditional Building Techniques of the Drâa Valley (Morocco) (2012) — ResearchGate preprint](https://www.ksour.org/library/baglioni-draa-valley)
- [Rammed-earth construction in Southern Morocco: A reappraisal of the technology (2012) — Vernacular Heritage and Earthen Architecture (Taylor & Francis)](https://www.ksour.org/library/lopez-osorio-rammed-earth)
- [Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata — UNESCO World Heritage nomination (1996) — UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://www.ksour.org/library/unesco-mauritanian-ksour-1996)
- [CERKAS: Centre de Conservation et de Réhabilitation du Patrimoine Architectural Atlasiques et Subatlasiques (1989) — Moroccan Ministry of Culture](https://www.ksour.org/library/cerkas-overview)
- [Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou — UNESCO World Heritage nomination (1987) — UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://www.ksour.org/library/unesco-ait-ben-haddou-1987)
- [M'Zab Valley — UNESCO World Heritage nomination (1982) — UNESCO World Heritage Centre](https://www.ksour.org/library/unesco-mzab-1982)


## Actors

- [Aga Khan Trust for Culture — ngo](https://www.ksour.org/actors/aktc)
- [CERKAS — government-agency, morocco](https://www.ksour.org/actors/cerkas)
- [CIMS Carleton — university](https://www.ksour.org/actors/cims-carleton)
- [Getty Conservation Institute — institution](https://www.ksour.org/actors/getty-conservation-institute)
- [Marsad Drâa — ngo, morocco](https://www.ksour.org/actors/marsad-draa)
- [UNESCO World Heritage Centre — institution](https://www.ksour.org/actors/unesco)


## Glossary

- [Adobe (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/adobe)
- [Amghar (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/amghar)
- [Amin n waman (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/amin-aman)
- [Arrowslit (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/arrowslit)
- [Bab (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/bab)
- [Banco (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/banco)
- [Borj (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/borj)
- [Caïd (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/caid)
- [Clay (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/clay)
- [Coursing (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/coursing)
- [Dabbus (tool)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/dabbus)
- [Dar (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/dar)
- [Douar (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/douar)
- [Earthen plaster (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/earthen-plaster)
- [Foundouk (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/foundouk)
- [Ghirbal (tool)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/ghirbal)
- [Ghorfa (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/ghorfa)
- [Glaoua (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/glaoua)
- [Gypsum (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/gypsum)
- [Inflas (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/inflas)
- [Jma'a (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/jmaa)
- [Juniper (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/juniper)
- [Khettara (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/khettara)
- [Lime (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/lime)
- [Limewash (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/limewash)
- [Lwah (tool)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/lwah)
- [Maalem (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/maalem)
- [Machicolation (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/machicolation)
- [Medersa (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/medersa)
- [Medina (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/medina)
- [Mellah (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/mellah)
- [Mihfra (tool)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/mihfra)
- [Minbar (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/minbar)
- [Mokhazni (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/mokhazni)
- [Mqaddam (actor-role)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/mqaddam)
- [Mudbrick (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/mudbrick)
- [Palm wood (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/palm-wood)
- [Palm-wood roofing (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/timber-roofing)
- [Palmeraie (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/palmeraie)
- [Pisé (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/pise)
- [Qubba (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/qubba)
- [Rammed earth (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/rammed-earth)
- [Riad (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/riad)
- [Ribat (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/ribat)
- [Seguia (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/seguia)
- [Shuttering (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/shuttering)
- [Stah (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/stah)
- [Sur (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/sur)
- [Tabia (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/tabia)
- [Tadelakt (technique)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/tadelakt)
- [Tamarisk (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/tamarisk)
- [Tibn (material)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/tibn)
- [Tighremt (building-type)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/tighremt)
- [Wast ed-Dar (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/wast-eddar)
- [Zawiya (building-element)](https://www.ksour.org/glossary/zawiya)


## Essays

- [The Drâa Valley Corpus — 2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z](https://www.ksour.org/essays/draa-valley-corpus)