Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph
Ghana Empire satellite (800–1350 CE peak Awdaghust near Al Bakri)·Sanhaja Berber → Ghana Empire → Almoravid·🇲🇷 Tagant/Adrar, Hodh, Tegdaoust depression, near Tamchekett, Mauritania
About
About Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph
Tegdaoust excavated by Robert & Mauny 1960–70, Ghana southern frontier caravan town 800–1350. Recorded context — Period: Ghana Empire satellite (800–1350 CE peak Awdaghust near Al Bakri); Culture: Sanhaja Berber → Ghana Empire → Almoravid; Field status: excavated; Materials: stone, plaster; Condition: ruins — excavated.
Why it mattersKey Sanhaja Berber → Ghana Empire → Almoravid ancient-city with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Construction labor organization
Theories
- 01Seasonal gathering
- 02Defensive stronghold
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 800 CE town; wall 1100 CE 4 km
- Period
- Ghana Empire satellite (800–1350 CE peak Awdaghust near Al Bakri)
- Culture
- Sanhaja Berber → Ghana Empire → Almoravid
- Purpose
- Ghana Empire Berber–Soninke trading city with 5 cemeteries and mosque — Al Bakri & al-Idrisi description, Ghana-Berber flip in 1054–55
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1967
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 800 CE town; wall 1100 CE 4 km
Initial construction / first occupation at Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph
c. 1200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph
1970 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph
On the ground
Structures & features
17.4200° N · 10.4100° W · 320 m · 3 mapped features
- Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — subsidiary complex17.4212° N · 10.4097° W
- Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — Complex Annex 2complexcomplex at Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — subsidiary complex17.4185° N · 10.4091° W
- Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Awdaghust — Ghana-Berbér Caravan Town Telegraph — subsidiary complex17.4188° N · 10.4088° W