As part of the efforts to enhance the national archaeological heritage and strengthen scientific research, an official archaeological excavation was launched on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Dar El Imam site, located in the commune of Hennine, in the wilaya of Tlemcen.

The launching ceremony was attended by the Director of Culture and Arts of the Wilaya of Tlemcen, the Rector of the University of Tlemcen, Pr.MEGHACHOU  Mourad , the Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, as well as the local authorities of the commune of Hennine, represented by the President of the People’s Municipal Assembly.

This site, considered a major component of the historical and urban heritage of Algeria’s western coastline, holds significant archaeological potential. Its various stratigraphic layers contain material remains that may contribute to a deeper understanding of the historical, urban, and economic dynamics that have shaped the Hennine region across different periods.

This operation is part of a scientific research program initiated in 2022. Under the scientific direction and supervision of Pr Sabrina Dahmani, the research team conducted an initial phase of exploratory archaeological test excavations, which enabled the collection of significant scientific data and highlighted the historical and heritage value of the site.

Furthermore, this excavation campaign serves as an important practical and educational training field for archaeology students. It involves thirty students from the Department of Archaeology, supervised by Professors Rezki Chergui and Kada Lebtar, with the support of the Laboratory of Archaeological Heritage and Valorization, as well as a specialized design office.