Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace
Iron Age-Classic (250 BCE-900 CE)·Djenne Culture·🇲🇱 Mopti, Djenne, Mali
About
About Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace
Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace in Mopti, Djenne, Mali is a Iron Age-Classic (250 BCE-900 CE) tell attributed to Djenne Culture. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal necropolis 10 × 5 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 13.9021N -4.5622E controls access to Mopti, Djenne resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Mopti, Djenne, illustrating Djenne Culture construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
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. 100 CE
- Period
- Iron Age-Classic (250 BCE-900 CE)
- Culture
- Djenne Culture
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified occupation
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 100 CE
Initial construction of Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace main structure
c. 907 CE
Secondary occupation / refurbishment at Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
13.9021° N · 4.5622° W · 281 m · 3 mapped features
Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace — Main Tell Feature
templePrimary temple at Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
13.9006° N · 4.5624° WDjenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
chamberAncillary chamber at Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace — burial gallery with stratified deposits
13.9006° N · 4.5612° WDjenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
cairnOutlier cairn panel linked to Djenne-Djeno Mound Urban Quarter North Annex — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
13.9007° N · 4.5632° W