Namoratunga / Kalokol (Turkana) – Megalithic Astronomical Pillars
Namoratunga · Kalokol · Lokori-Namoratunga · Turkana pillar site
Pastoral Neolithic·Pastoral Neolithic (Nderit/ Cushitic)·🇰🇪 Turkana County, west shore Lake Turkana, Kalokol village, Kenya
About
About Namoratunga / Kalokol (Turkana) – Megalithic Astronomical Pillars
19 basalt pillar alignments (2400 BCE) claimed as oldest archaeoastronomy in sub-Saharan Africa: pillars aligned to stellar asterisms (Triangulum, Pleiades). Burial cairns with beaked bowls link to Pastoral Neolithic. Later Cushitic cairns.
Why it mattersSignificant regional centre illustrating cultural transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology refinement
- 02Function of enclosures
Theories
- 01Trade corridor model
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.335 BCE? Actually 2400 BCE (2450–1350 BCE calibrated)
- Period
- Pastoral Neolithic
- Culture
- Pastoral Neolithic (Nderit/ Cushitic)
- Purpose
- Regional centre / fortified town and trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.335 BCE? Actually 2400 BCE (2450–1350 BCE calibrated)
Initial construction
c. 1126 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
3.5000° N · 35.8500° E · 500 m · 2 mapped features
Namoratunga II Circle
stone circle19 pillars 1–2 m high circle 15 m diam
3.5003° N · 35.8503° ECairn with Beaked Bowl
cairnBurial cairn 4 m diam with bowl fragments
3.4997° N · 35.8497° E