Djenné-Djeno (Mopti Region)
Djenné-Djeno culture·Djenné-Djeno (Niger Inland Delta)·🇲🇱 Mopti Region, Mali
About
About Djenné-Djeno (Mopti Region)
Djenné-Djeno in Mopti Region, Mali is a Djenné-Djeno culture ancient city attributed to Djenné-Djeno (Niger Inland Delta) culture. Inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site (ID 116). Settlement complex with stratified occupation, demonstrating urban planning and craft production.
Why it mattersRepresentative Djenné-Djeno (Niger Inland Delta) site contributing to understanding of ancient-city distribution.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and sequencing of Djenné-Djeno within regional landscape
- 02Chronometric precision and construction organization without modern tools
Theories
- 01Regional ceremonial centre for Djenné-Djeno (Niger Inland Delta) communities
- 02Territorial marker and ancestral burial focus
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. 250 BCE–1400 CE
- Period
- Djenné-Djeno culture
- Culture
- Djenné-Djeno (Niger Inland Delta)
- Purpose
- One of Africa's oldest urban complexes (33 ha tell, 2 km away from modern Djenné)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 250 BCE–1400 CE
Initial construction
c. 1194 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
13.9050° N · 4.5550° W · 280 m · 2 mapped features
Djenné-Djeno — Main Feature
structurePrimary structure / enclosure at Djenné-Djeno
13.9060° N · 4.5540° WDjenné-Djeno — Secondary Feature
annexAssociated annex or burial/outlier
13.9040° N · 4.5560° W