The

tumuli A tumulus (: tumuli) is a mound of Soil, earth and Rock (geology), stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, mounds, howes, or in Siberia and Central Asia as ''kurgans'', and may be found through ...

of Cekeen are ancient burial mounds located in the Diourbel Department of the Diourbel Region, in Senegal. The region and the city of

Diourbel Diourbel (; Serer language, Serer: ''Jurbel'', Wolof language, Wolof: ''Njaaréem'') is a town and urban commune in Senegal lying east of Thiès. It is known for its mosque and local peanut, groundnut industry and is the capital of the Diourbe ...

were part of the precolonial Kingdom of Baol.

Purpose

In this area, a tumulus was used as a

burial mound Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is a method of final disposition whereby a dead body is placed into the ground, sometimes with objects. This is usually accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing the deceased and objec ...

for chiefs. A deceased chief would be joined by other members of his court along with important objects such as furniture and other implements.Les tumulus de Cekeen – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
/ref> The burials and objects would be situated in the chief's hut, which was then covered with soil and rocks. Thousands of such tumuli exist in Senegal, with Cekeen containing the largest and densest number.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

World Heritage Tentative List on 18 November 2005, in the cultural category.

References

Serer history Historic sites in Senegal World Heritage Tentative List Prehistoric Africa Archaeological sites in Senegal Tumuli Archaeology of West Africa {{Senegal-struct-stub

Purpose

World Heritage Status

See also

References