Gazargamu Nguru Palaeolake Mound
Gazargamu Nguru · Nguru Palaeolake Mound · Gazargamo Nguru
Late Kanem-Bornu (15th–18th c. CE)·Kanuri (Bornu)·🇳🇬 Yobe State, Nguru wetland (Hadejia-Nguru), 1 km west of Birnin Gazargamu (Kanem-Bornu capital), Nigeria
About
About Gazargamu Nguru Palaeolake Mound
Palaeolake backyard mound of Kanem-Bornu capital Birnin Gazargamu (c.1488–1808 CE), Nguru mound is 300×200×8 m tell with Bornu Red pottery, glass bead imports (Nupe), fishbone midden (50 tonnes indicating Nguru lake fishery), and levee canal (40 m). Satellites of capital (16 mounds). Fired-brick palace annex borrow pit. Reflects Mega-Lake Chad high stand fish boom.
Why it mattersMega-Lake Chad high-stand fish economy satellite of Bornu's last great capital.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Mound vs main capital chronology
- 02Fish species
Theories
- 01Connah Bornu
- 02Gronenborn mega-lake
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Gazargamu capital 1488 CE; Nguru satellite 1500–1700 CE
- Period
- Late Kanem-Bornu (15th–18th c. CE)
- Culture
- Kanuri (Bornu)
- Builders
- Kanuri (Mai Ali Gazi)
- Purpose
- Palaeolake fishery industrial satellite of Sudanese capital
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1488 CE
Mai Ali Gazi founds Gazargamu capital
1500 CE
Nguru mound levee and midden start
1700 CE
Fish midden peak 50 tonnes
On the ground
Structures & features
12.8980° N · 10.2580° E · 345 m · 2 mapped features
Fishbone Midden Heap
midden100×60×3 m fishbone midden 50 tonnes with harpoons
12.8990° N · 10.2590° ELevee Canal
canal40×3 m canal levee to Nguru marsh fish traps
12.8970° N · 10.2570° E