Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace
Medieval (800-1200 CE)·Ghana Empire·🇲🇷 Hodh Ech Chargui, Nema, Mauritania
About
About Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace 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 chamber 6 × 5 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 15.7693N -7.9654E 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
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
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 — Western Terrace main structure
c. 1090 CE
Secondary occupation / refurbishment at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace
1992–2019
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
15.7693° N · 7.9654° W · 267 m · 3 mapped features
Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace — Main Ancient-City Feature
moundPrimary mound at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace — platform mound with stratified deposits
15.7712° N · 7.9674° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
dromosAncillary dromos at Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
15.7674° N · 7.9665° WKoumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
structureOutlier structure panel linked to Koumbi Saleh Market Enclosure East Wall Annex — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
15.7706° N · 7.9660° W