A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - Not everyone knows that the great stone circles of Senegambia are the largest megalithic complexes yet recorded in any region of the world.
Image source: UNESCO
Most people have heard of Stonehenge in the UK, but far from all are familiar with the large concentration of stones that are sometimes referred to as African Stonehenge.
The stone circles and other megaliths in Senegal and Gambia are divided into four large sites.
These include Sine Ngayene and Wanar in Senegal and Wassu and Kerbatch in the Central River Region in Gambia.
The four sites cover 93 stone circles and numerous burial mounds. Some of them were recently excavated to reveal material dated between the 3rd century BC and 16th century AD. Together, the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over 1,500 years.
Each stone circle contains about 10 to 24 standing stones.
All the stones in any given circle are usually the same height, and size, varying between 60 cm and 245 cm high and weighing up to 10 tons.
The giant stones at N'Jai Kunda may weigh at least 10 tons. The purpose of the stone circles is not entirely clear.
Stone circles have been the subject of research over the past 100 years. Several parts of this ancient site have been excavated.
According to UNESCO, "material from excavations suggests that the burials took place mainly during the first and early second millennia AD.
However, the relationship between the burial mounds and the stone circles has yet to be thoroughly investigated.
It is not clear whether the burials pre-date the circles, whether they are contemporary, or whether perhaps the circles pre-date the burials.
Scientists do not know when monuments were built, but the generally accepted range is between the third century BC and the sixteenth century AD. The true purpose of the stone circles and their builders is shrouded in mystery.
The Manding people currently live in the megalithic zone, and it seems they moved into the area in the 16th century after the construction of the megaliths. Thus, they are not particularly related to the megalith builders. Another option is that the Serer people are the builders, but that is only speculation.
The truth is - the builders of the Senegambia stone circles are unknown.
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Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Updated on February 13, 2023
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