Handoga

Handoga, located near Dikhil in Djibouti, is an archaeological site of significant historical importance. Initial excavations in 1970 revealed the foundations of stone houses and a notable stone edifice with a recess aligned towards Mecca. The site contains evidence of ancient habitation, including petroglyphs dating back to the fourth or third millennium BCE. Various artifacts unearthed at Handoga include ceramic shards, microliths, metal objects, and a unique Chinese coin. The site appears to have transitioned from nomadic to more permanent stone-based architectural techniques. A partially excavated oval house was interpreted as a foundry, yielding substantial iron and copper artifacts. Handoga offers valuable insights into pre-Islamic settlement patterns and material culture in the Horn of Africa.