the temperature was at least 100 degrees as we hiked around some of the best preserved Roman Ruins in the world at Volubilis, a Roman trading post which was only located about an hour away from fes. only about half of the city has been excavated so far, but they have unearthed what would have been the heart of the city: the main roads, aqueducts, main entryways, roman baths, and the amazing mosaics of the floors of patrician houses. the lisbon earthquake (1765 i think?) flattened the walls and standing structures of the city, but columns and arches have be re-erected to give visitors a better idea of the size and grandeur of the city. an olive press was also reconstructed, as olive oil drove the local economy.
although volubilis was at its prime in 200 AD (most of the mosaics and buildings date back to theis time), it was inhabited for centuries afterward, until attacks from Berber tribes in the area and lack of support from rome caused it to eventually be abandoned. excavations were begun by the french around 1912, are continued by archaeology students in the summer and have been supported and protected by the moroccan government since morocco gained its independence from france in the 1950s.
after volubilis, we drove to the city of meknes and had a wonderful moroccan lunch, followed by a few hours of exploring the city on our own. the buildings there are fantastic, and we got to see where several spiritual leaders who were important in spreading Islam to morocco were buried, as well as many other beautiful buildings and arched entryways that are so enormous and fantastic that pictures really can't capture them...
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