Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali)
Diema N Panel
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇲🇱 Kayes, Diema, Mali
About
About Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali)
Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali) in Kayes, Diema, Mali is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and magnetometry document ceramic seriation. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 5.0 ha. Excavation excavated; condition partially preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 280 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and labor organization
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape 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. 15000 BCE
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Palaeolithic to Iron Age
- Purpose
- Rock art panel and ritual gallery
- Rediscovered
- 2001
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 15000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 887 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1921
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
14.5300° N · 9.1800° W · 280 m · 3 mapped features
Main Painted Panel
panelMain Painted Panel at Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali) — panel with stratified deposits
14.5281° N · 9.1798° WUpper Gallery Niche
galleryUpper Gallery Niche at Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali) — gallery with stratified deposits
14.5299° N · 9.1822° WAncillary Engraving Cluster
engravingAncillary Engraving Cluster at Diema — Rock Art North Panel (Mali) — engraving with stratified deposits
14.5323° N · 9.1782° W