Stone Circles of Senegambia — Wassu Complex
Wassu Stone Circles
Late Iron Age to Medieval (750–1000 CE peak)·Serer–Wolof proto-Jola / Senegambian megalithic·🇬🇲 Central River Division, Gambia
About
About Stone Circles of Senegambia — Wassu Complex
Wassu is the Gambian component of UNESCO Senegambian Stone Circles (1226, 2006) — 11 megalithic circles (4.5–6 m Ø) with 1–2 m laterite pillars (cylindrical, dressed with iron wedge) enclosing burial mounds 800 CE. Part of 93 circles/1,000 pillars across 39,000 km² Senegambia and 1,000-year tradition (3rd c BCE–16th c CE). Wassu museum explains V-shapes and cross motifs. Gambian strongest concentration; alignment to water and celestial east.
Why it mattersLargest Iron Age megalithic circle concentration in Africa south of Sahara; intact burial tumuli.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Quarry source for uniform laterite pillars 15 kg?
- 02Why circles vary 2.5–6 m Ø
Theories
- 01Circles as stratified lineage cemeteries (Holl)
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.750–800 CE (Wassu circles, Senegambia broader 3rd c BCE–16th c CE)
- Period
- Late Iron Age to Medieval (750–1000 CE peak)
- Culture
- Serer–Wolof proto-Jola / Senegambian megalithic
- Builders
- Senegambian Iron Age communities
- Purpose
- Burial necropolis with polished laterite pillars over tumuli and shrine
- Abandoned
- c.16th c Islamisation
- Rediscovered
- 1900s colonial documentation; 1965 Aubert
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
750 CE
Wassu circles erected
2006
UNESCO World Heritage 1226
2015
Wassu museum upgrade
On the ground
Structures & features
13.6915° N · 14.8731° W · 18 m · 3 mapped features
Wassu Circle 1 — Double Ring & Tumulus
stone circleØ6 m outer with inner Ø3 m, 14 pillars enclosing 2 m tumulus with burial cist
13.6920° N · 14.8735° WWassu Museum & Quarry Display
museumMuseum 200 m W with laterite quarry face 2 km showing iron wedge marks
13.6910° N · 14.8740° WEastern Laterite Alignment
alignmentOutlier line 30 m E with 8 fallen pillars aligned to eastern solstice
13.6918° N · 14.8725° W