Koumbi Saleh West Necropolis
Koumbi West · Ghana West · Koumbi Saleh West
Medieval Ghana Empire (9th–13th c. CE)·Soninke (Ghana Empire) / Sanhaja / Berber·🇲🇷 Hodh Ech Chargui, Koumbi Saleh (Kumbi Saleh, capital of Ghana Empire) west dune necropolis 800 m west of western town, Mauritania
About
About Koumbi Saleh West Necropolis
Western urban necropolis of Ghana Empire capital, Koumbi Saleh West shows 20 ha burial field (300 tumuli 8–12 m, vaulted cist graves of Berber marabouts), qubba mausolea (4 with Kufic), shell-midden (Mediterranean cowrie, proving Morocco trans-Sahara), and abandoned western city wall gap (gate robbery trench). Al-Bakri & Al-Idrisi. Two-town model: western pagan king's town vs Islamic traders.
Why it mattersWestern pagan vs eastern Islamic town burial contrast — key Ghana Empire urban duality.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Tumulus vs cist ethnicity
- 02Gate gap robbery vs collapse
Theories
- 01Berthier Koumbi
- 02Holl Ghana
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Ghana Empire capital 9th–13th c.; west necropolis 10th–13th c.
- Period
- Medieval Ghana Empire (9th–13th c. CE)
- Culture
- Soninke (Ghana Empire) / Sanhaja / Berber
- Builders
- Ghana Empire (Tunka)
- Purpose
- Dual-town capital necropolis demonstrating Islamic–pagan township duality
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
9th c. CE
Koumbi Saleh capital founded
11th c. CE
Almoravid raid 1076; qubba built
13th c. CE
Capital abandoned post-Sosso
On the ground
Structures & features
15.7680° N · 7.9650° W · 165 m · 2 mapped features
Tumulus Field and Gate Gap
tumulus300 tumuli 10 m and 20 m gate robbery trench in wall
15.7690° N · 7.9660° WKufic Qubba Mausolea
mausoleum4 qubba 4×4 m with Kufic band and shell-midden court
15.7670° N · 7.9640° W