Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier
Medieval (800-1200 CE)·Ghana Empire·🇲🇷 Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, Mauritania
About
About Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier 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 necropolis 12 × 4 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 15.7729N -7.9659E 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
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
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 — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 1207 CE
Secondary occupation / refurbishment at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
15.7729° N · 7.9659° W · 267 m · 4 mapped features
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — Main Ancient-City Feature
reservoirPrimary reservoir at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
15.7743° N · 7.9663° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — Secondary Enclosure
moundAncillary mound at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — burial gallery with stratified deposits
15.7741° N · 7.9673° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art Panel
dromosOutlier dromos panel linked to Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape
15.7718° N · 7.9656° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier — Hydraulic/Cistern Annex
structureHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Eastern Outlier with plastered basin
15.7736° N · 7.9667° W