The Moorsmen, also known as the Moors, were a group of Muslim inhabitants of North Africa who invaded and settled in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) during the early Middle Ages, primarily beginning in 711 AD. They were mainly of Berber and Arab descent and played a significant role in the cultural and scientific development of the region, influencing architecture, agriculture, and philosophy. The term "Moors" is often used to describe this diverse group, which also included various ethnicities and cultures over the centuries of Muslim rule in parts of Europe. Their presence lasted until the Reconquista, which culminated in 1492 with the fall of Granada.