Agadez & Takedda (Niger) – Air-Copper Oasis Twins
Agadez · Takedda · Teguidda? distinct from Takadda · Agadès
Late Medieval / Tuareg / Songhai·Tuareg (Kel Air) / Songhai tributary·🇳🇪 Agadez Region, Air Mountains southern plain, Tamesna fringe, Niger
About
About Agadez & Takedda (Niger) – Air-Copper Oasis Twins
Paired Saharan stations: Agadez (c.1400 Tuareg sultanate capital with 27 m mudbrick minaret) and medieval Takedda copper industrial estate (14th c, Ibn Battuta 1353: 'copper mine of Takadda') 150 km west. Crucible furnaces, slag hills 3 m and mined malachite.
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
- Agadez founded 1405 by Tuareg; Takedda furnaces 13th–15th c
- Period
- Late Medieval / Tuareg / Songhai
- Culture
- Tuareg (Kel Air) / Songhai tributary
- Purpose
- Regional centre / fortified town and trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
Agadez founded 1405 by Tuareg; Takedda furnaces 13th–15th c
Initial construction
c. 1512 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9722° N · 7.9906° E · 520 m · 2 mapped features
Agadez Mosque Minaret
minaretMudbrick minaret 27 m, world's tallest
16.9725° N · 7.9909° ETakedda Copper Slag Mound
industrialSlag hill 3 m high, 40 m diam with furnace bases
16.9718° N · 7.9902° E