Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Location
About
Chinguetti, founded in the 8th century CE and re-founded in the 13th century, is a historically significant site in northern Mauritania. This ancient city was once a vibrant center of trans-Saharan trade, serving as a major hub for nomadic caravans. Its distinctive architecture, featuring houses of reddish dry-stone and mud-brick, reflects the city’s adaptation to its harsh desert environment. Chinguetti's mosques and libraries are notable for their historical and religious significance, with manuscripts that are invaluable to Islamic scholarship in West Africa. Despite being threatened by encroaching sand dunes, Chinguetti remains an important cultural and archaeological site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
Gallery
Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Chinguetti
Archaeological Features
Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Defensive Structures
Public and Civic Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history
Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- Mauritania
- Source
- Wikipedia
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