Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin)
Tounouna Tumulus
Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)·Hallstatt / Early Iron Age·🇧🇯 Borgou, Tounouna, Benin
About
About Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin)
Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin) in Borgou, Tounouna, Benin is a Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE) tumulus attributed to Hallstatt / Early Iron Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary settlement. Dimensions mound 22 m diameter × 6 m high; ditch 2 m deep; area unmeasured ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Hallstatt / Early Iron Age tumulus with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 320 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ceremonial centre
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. 1500–1200 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age to Iron Age (2500–500 BCE)
- Culture
- Hallstatt / Early Iron Age
- Builders
- Hallstatt
- Purpose
- Elite burial and ritual mound
- Rediscovered
- 1956
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1500–1200 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 886 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1947
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
c. 1493 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
10.3000° N · 3.4000° E · 320 m · 4 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin) — structure with stratified deposits
10.3001° N · 3.4023° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin) — complex with stratified deposits
10.2996° N · 3.3994° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin) — outlier with stratified deposits
10.2994° N · 3.3981° EReservoir/Cistern
hydraulicReservoir/Cistern at Tounouna — Stepped Tumulus (Borgu, Benin) — hydraulic with stratified deposits
10.3021° N · 3.3988° E