Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta)
Djenné-Djeno Ouest · West Mound Djenné
Djenné-Djeno phase (250 BCE – 1400 CE; West Mound 300–900 CE)·Djenné-Djeno (Inland Niger Delta urbanism)·🇲🇱 Mopti Region, Inland Niger Delta floodplain 2 km west of Djenne-Djeno tell, Mali
About
About Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta)
Western extension of Djenné-Djeno city cluster (2 km from central tell) with 450×400 m mound, floodplain ditch, iron workshops and terracotta of Inland Niger urbanism 800 years pre-Arab. Recorded context — Period: Djenné-Djeno phase (250 BCE – 1400 CE; West Mound 300–900 CE); Culture: Djenné-Djeno (Inland Niger Delta urbanism); Field status: excavated; Materials: mudbrick (djenné ferey), laterite; Condition: mound 5 m, ditch, slag and terracotta scatter.
Why it mattersKey Djenné-Djeno phase (250 BCE – 1400 CE; West Mound 300–900 CE) site illustrating Djenné-Djeno (Inland Niger Delta urbanism) urbanism and western satellite mound town of djenné-djeno city cluster controlling floodplain.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why cluster satellite vs single mega-tell
Theories
- 01Cluster city heterarchy model (McIntosh)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- West mound tell founded c. 300 CE; city peak 400–800 CE
- Period
- Djenné-Djeno phase (250 BCE – 1400 CE; West Mound 300–900 CE)
- Culture
- Djenné-Djeno (Inland Niger Delta urbanism)
- Purpose
- Western satellite mound town of Djenné-Djeno city cluster controlling floodplain rice and lake fisheries
- Excavation
- Excavated
West mound tell founded c. 300 CE; city peak 400–800 CE
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
13.9050° N · 4.5560° W · 275 m · 3 mapped features
- Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta) — Central Tell SummittellSummit of tell at Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta)13.9050° N · 4.5560° W
- Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta) — RampartfortificationRampart circuit at Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta)13.9056° N · 4.5554° W
- Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta) — Lower TownsettlementLower town extension at Djenne-Djeno West Mound (Inland Niger Delta)13.9044° N · 4.5566° W
Gallery