Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension
Medieval (800-1200 CE)·Ghana Empire·🇲🇷 Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, Mauritania
About
About Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension 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 platform 4 × 6 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 15.7476N -7.9600E 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
- 01Nature of burial rites and population
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
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
- Excavation ongoing
c. 900 CE
Initial construction of Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension main structure
c. 868 CE
Secondary occupation / refurbishment at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension
2004–2019
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
15.7476° N · 7.9600° W · 265 m · 3 mapped features
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension — Main Ancient-City Feature
plazaPrimary plaza at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension — burial gallery with stratified deposits
15.7465° N · 7.9600° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension — Secondary Enclosure
reservoirAncillary reservoir at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension — burial gallery with stratified deposits
15.7471° N · 7.9606° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension — Outlier Rock Art Panel
moundOutlier mound panel linked to Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Southern Extension ceremonial landscape
15.7490° N · 7.9599° W