Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7
Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 North Annex · Essouk-Tadmekka Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇲🇱 Gao, Essouk, Mali
About
About Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7
Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 in Gao, Essouk, Mali is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 18.4300N 1.1800E controls access to Gao 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 Gao, Essouk, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1992 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 main structure
c. 1932
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1992–2007
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
18.4300° N · 1.1800° E · 304 m · 4 mapped features
Essouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
18.4308° N · 1.1809° EEssouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
18.4290° N · 1.1793° EEssouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
18.4315° N · 1.1812° EEssouk-Tadmekka Islamic Quarter House 7 — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
18.4284° N · 1.1789° E