Dhar Tichitt

Dhar Tichitt, located in the southwestern Sahara Desert of Mauritania, is a significant Neolithic archaeological site comprising sandstone cliffs and ancient settlements that date from approximately 2000 BCE to 300 BCE. The site is characterized by hundreds of villages featuring drystone compounds, granaries, and cattle pens, indicative of a complex society. The presence of defensive walls and a structured settlement layout suggests a hierarchical social system. The site's economy included millet farming and livestock herding, with evidence of early grain domestication around 1900 BCE. The climate's shift towards desertification around 300 BCE likely led to the site's decline. Dhar Tichitt is key to understanding early West African societies, providing insights into social organization, agricultural practices, and responses to environmental changes.