Cross Section Of A Matmur (underground Storage Chamber) , Imouzzer Kandar Morocco Royalty-Free Stock Photography

Close-up of the cross section of one of a group of matmurs (underground storage chambers) outside the ruins of a kasba (or qasba, fortified settlement) near the Moroccan town of Imouzzer Kandar in the province of Sefrou. The ground has fallen away allowing a cross-section view of the underground chambers deep wide wells roughly shaped like a huge jars. The chambers were cut into the ground with a narrow opening at the top to allow access. These kept the grain or pulses inside sheltered from rain heat and cold. The matmurs were very close to the walls of the qasba, that can be seen here, built of pressed earth (adobe or tapia) . If needed, an empty chamber could also be used to hold a prisoner