who were the moors

The Moors were the Muslim inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (mainly Spain and Portugal) during the medieval period, originating primarily from North Africa. They were a diverse group consisting mainly of Berbers (indigenous North African people), Arabs, and sub-Saharan Africans, united by their Islamic faith. The Moors invaded and established Islamic rule in Spain starting in 711 C.E., creating a rich and flourishing culture known as al- Andalus that lasted until the late 15th century. The term "Moors" was used by medieval Europeans mainly to describe dark-skinned Muslims but did not refer to a single ethnic group. The Moors contributed significantly to science, agriculture, architecture, and knowledge transfer in medieval Europe.