A New Funerary Monument in Western Sahara

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A New Funerary Monument in Western Sahara
Festival of Culture, Dakhleh, 23-25 November 2005

• Nick Brooks
• School of Environmental Sciences, University of
  East Anglia,
• Norwich, UK

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Goulet Monuments
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• Found in Mauritania, western Algeria, southern
  Morocco, now in Western Sahara
• Different sizes, orientations, components
• Little known about these monuments - none
  excavated

Stone circle(s)
Goulet
Paved area
Low tumulus (sometimes absent)
Schematic view
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Tifariti Giant Goulet

• Largest recorded to date is 170m, in southern
  Morocco

• Monument at least 370 m in length recorded 15 km
  north of Tifariti in March 2005

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A Tumulus in area paved with dense concentration
of stones B Poorly defined perimeter due to
removal of stones C Parallel lines 1 m apart,
with some reuse and disturbance of stones D E
Stone circles F Area of sub-circular
concentrations of stones - burials? G Possible
marker stone defining end of monument complex
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• Situated on raised gravel area surrounded on 3
  sides by wadis.
• Orientation is E-W to west monument points at
  flat hill on horizon
• Date unknown

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Conclusions

• Orientation in landscape with reference to
  cardinal points and local topographic features
  appears to be important
• Located in area rich in burials and likely to
  serve a funerary purpose
• Tumulus at western end likely to be a burial
• Circular concentrations of stones towards east
  may be burials, but this is uncertain - if so
  this monument is a burial complex
• Further study and excavation (of this or similar
  monuments) required to be more certain of
  function
• Largest monument of its kind identified in the
  Sahara to date.