Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex
Medieval (800-1200 CE)·Ghana Empire·🇲🇷 Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, Mauritania
About
About Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex in Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, Mauritania is a Medieval (800-1200 CE) ancient city attributed to Ghana Empire. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal platform 11 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 15.7525N -7.9662E controls access to Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient-city for Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, illustrating Ghana Empire construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
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. 900 CE
- Period
- Medieval (800-1200 CE)
- Culture
- Ghana Empire
- Purpose
- Fortified settlement and ceremonial centre controlling regional exchange
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 900 CE
Initial construction of Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex main structure
c. 1285 CE
Secondary occupation / refurbishment at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex
1969–2021
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
15.7525° N · 7.9662° W · 270 m · 3 mapped features
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex — Main Ancient-City Feature
cairnPrimary cairn at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
15.7524° N · 7.9669° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex — Secondary Enclosure
plazaAncillary plaza at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex — central chambered cairn with stratified deposits
15.7528° N · 7.9663° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex — Outlier Rock Art Panel
reservoirOutlier reservoir panel linked to Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Northern Annex ceremonial landscape
15.7526° N · 7.9666° W