Day 6

Nothing could have prepared me for the Moroccan heat at the Roman ruins in Volubilis.  If you are wise you will bring a hat...Dr. John Shoup led our three hour tour of the ruins.  The Roman Empire had substantial influence in the Mediterranean region and the Moroccan Roman ruins at Walili are the most remote.  The site is protected as a world heritage site.  The ruins are impressive though they are not well maintained.  John mentioned that the Moroccan government does not see them as a tourist investment, but as a reminder of the European colonization of Northern Africa. The site has mainly been preserved by a drought that lasted 20 years.                                                                                         Today with little preservation work the site is endanger of being lost altogether.  According to John the ruins at Volubilis could potentially lose their world heritage site status if they are not properly cared for.  The site has many beautiful titled frescos with vibrant color patterns. Unfortunately the frescos have been exposed to the environment, specifically rain damage and will disappear soon.

Salam!   The Traveling Educator