Contribution to the study of some lithic monuments of West-Sahara

              M. MILBURN and l. KÓBEL-WETTLAUFFER, Ronda - München
CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF SOME LITHIC MONUMENTS OF
WEST SAHARA
PART I
The object of this report is to describe various constructions seen during
several different expeditions and particularly to those possibly not observed
by previous writers during their extensive studies of these regions.
Our own studies were of necessity restricted to observation and measure­ment.
No excavation was attempted.
We thank Professors Th. Monod and G. Souville for their invaluable help
and encouragement; Mr. James Swauger for his information on dolmen sites;
and Mr. Charles Freeman, who initially drew and described sorne of the sites
in Spanish Sahara. The opportunity to carry out field studies in the latter
territory is owed almost entirely to the generous material aid and facilities
provided by our friends Majar Fernándo Labajos Hernández, Majar Fernán­do
de Carranza and Don Guillermo Díaz Santiago.
In sorne cases French or Spanish words are used when their English
equivalent is not known. Degrees magnetic are used for all compass bearings.
F ollowing the first expedition, in September 1972, to Spanish Sahara,
certain points were noted as being broadly relevant to the area covered.
These were later borne in mind, with most encouraging results.
It was seen, for instance, that sorne of the magnificent two or three storey
"chouchet" constructions in Spanish territory were largely intact - allowing
for deterioration due to the passage of time; in Mauritania and Morocco
almost all had been pillaged or roughly excavated.
Secondly, the presence of crude modern rock "carvings" in a given area
was often evidence that nearby was much older word, hunting scenes,
symbols, domestic animals and wild life, such as gazelles, ostriches, rhinos
and elephants. In the countries visited, this older work has often vanished,
apart from a few scattered traces. Indeed it is to be wondered how the
experts of ten thousand years hence will classify non-indigenous carvings
found amid the ruins of present European cities.
Many more carvings are probably still near their original sites, albeit
incorporated within the stonework of later funerary monuments.
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In each site the country is denoted by the following letters:
MA Mauritania
MC Morocco
ML Mali
SA Spanish Sahara.
SiteMA A
This double chouchet with square sides was found in the area of
Oummat el Hamm, north of Bir Moghrein. It is very delapidated, made
of "lajas" and sits upon a low eminence along the foot of a high ridge,
which runs east-west, on its south side. Measurement in detail was not
possible hut the somewhat unusual square shape was readily apparent
(Fig. 1)
The measurements which were possihle are recorded on the plan, the
height of 1. 7 5 m having to he interpolated to take into account the ground
slope from north to south. There is an opening on the south side and,
possibly, a second at the north-east comer.
The stones laid en the ground sorne 3.10 m from the south-west comer
are in the form of a rough circle; a hollow stone close to them is possibly a
mortar. A similar stone configuration was seen near Atar - sorne 640 km
away - at Site MA K. 1.
The two-storey chouchet is the only one seen of its type and is visible
only from very close. Most large chouchets seen by us have been on dom­inating
ground and visible from afar off, so that this monument appears to us
to he remarkahle for its non-prominent location as well as for its shape.
SiteMA G
W ell to the north of Oummat el Hamm and on a high ridge running
60
°
-240
°
, with a steep escarpment falling away to south-south-east, this
double chouchet had a square bottom storey and a round top one (Fig. 2
and fig. 3).
The measurements will again be apparent from the plan. Stone slabs
containing an "entrance" or "annexe" (Fr.) protrude 3.50 m from the
edifice on a hearing of 144
°
and the width of the entrance slabs is about
90 cm at the outer extremity.
As at many other sites, slabs from this graceful monument would appear
to have been used to build later tombs nearby. Many modem carvings
abound, including an inscription reading "Vive Pétain" and dated 1941. The
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contents of the interior seem to have been dragged out, with no effort to
restare the masonry, but we are not sure whether to suspect excavation or
mere vandalism.
About 600 m distant and on a bearing of 244
°
is a single-storey chouchet
similar to many others noted in the area.
SiteMA B
A small monument, presumed to be a grave, very clase to Site MA A,
about 1 km to the east. Orientated roughly east-west, the site comprises
sorne loase stones lying on the surface (presumed to have been uprooted
after building), then a couple of standing stones whose respective heights are
86 and 89 cm (Fig. 4 ).
At the centre of the complex is a large "laja" measuring 1 m high by
55 cm wide by 9 cm thick, resting at an angle on two more standing stones
beyond; their heights are 65 cm and 55 cm. Finally comes another scatter of
loase stones on the ground. Measurement around the top of the rough
rectangle formed by the tops of the four standing stones is 3. 90 m.
Nothing similar elsewhere has been seen by us; we assume that the large
"laja" was upright when originally placed. H. Nowak has informed us of a
similar monument in Rio de Oro.
SiteMA E
This site is at Aguelt Bou Habeira, north of Bir Moghrein.
5. Using as reference point a prominent cluster of standing stones and
apparent graves, thought to be Islamic, one stone about 1.8 m high, the
monument in question, a rectangle built of standing stones, is about 100 m
to north-east, lying almost touching the foot of a lew rocky ridge aligned
60
°
-240
°
(Fig. 5 ).
This magificent construction measures 11.10 m north to south and
9. 70 m east to west. The highest standing stone, at the north-west comer, is
95 cm high. Apparently quite empty within the sandy area enclosed by the
standing stones, it stands within a few metres of many rocks engraved with
faint piquetage carvings showing carts ("chars"), bovids, ostriches and at
least one human figure.
8. A few metres to west-south-west of the Islamic complex above, and
orientated west-south-west to east-north-east, are several adjacent squarish
stone patterns in the sand. (Fig. 6)
These in each case comprise the outline of a square border, only just
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showing above the sand in sorne places and, as in the case of 5 above,
enclosing an apparently empty space of sand, empty, that is, apart from a
few irregularly-shaped stones which may ar may not form part of the
original constructions. 2
The most westerly square had "walls" about 1.15 m long and never more
than 5 cm thick.
Site.MA H
(cf. Manad, 1948, fig. 30)
4. Well north of Bir Moghrein, this is a long low structure of the "crois­sant"
variety, but "eye-shaped". Dimensions are evident from the plan.
(Fig. 7)
Orientation is 20
°
-200
°
and the structure is removed back from the edge
of an escarpment, sorne 150 m roughly to the west of a line of single-storey
"chouchet" tombs. We would not like to infer that it is contemporary with
them. Alimen having pointed out the construction of "chouchets" seems to
have continued after the Islamic invasion3
• The association of the structure
described to the "chouchets" is not as clase as at other sites and the question
does arise as to whether it is associated at all, the outer masonry of the
"chouchets" being rather more graceful and expertly-constructed.
SiteMA L
A. Triple chouchet. ( cf. Manad, 1948, fig. 15)
All monuments described here are clase to the main track Atar - Akjoujt,
near the Oued Seguelil.
The most easily-visible is a triple chouchet clase to the edge of the
escarpment, with other single chouchets scattered around it. (Fig. 8)
Measurements of the storeys are, from bottom upwards: heights, 80, 60
and 50 cm; diameters, 7.50, 4.50 and 2.30 m respectively. It is built of
thickish black stones, which render it less graceful than equivalent construc­tions
further north, in Spanish Sahara. A somewhat barbarous "shelter" is
3 m to north-west; there are also sorne small standing stones to one side,
presumed to have been added later.
B. "Crescent" ( cf. Manad, 1948, fig. 30)
600 m from the triple chouchet and bearing about 112
°
to 115
°
, is a long
low crescent, orientated north to south at its centre point; its maximum
height is 1.10 m and the distance between its pointed extremities ("arms") is
22 m. Maximum width is 5.4 m. At the south extremity is a rough pile of
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stones thought to be a grave, height 70 cm and diameter 50 cm. Approxi­mately
midway between the pointed extremities is a second, whose height is
35 cm and diameter 90 cm.
This crescent is on flat ground and difficult to see except from very clase.
C. "Eye-shaped mound".
95 paces to north of the crescent is an even less prominent construction,
12.30 m in length, whose width is 4.90 m and maximum height 1.20 m. It is
orientated north to south.
Our remarks contained in the description of Site Ma H, concerning the
likelihood of the "eye-shape" being associated - or not - with the
chouchets, or even contemporary, apply equally here.
The "eye-shape" and the crescent do appear to be associated.
SiteMA AA
Situated just south of the track from Bel Guerdan to Ain Ben Tili,
about 48 km east of the former, the site comprises four majar stones
embedded in deep sand, apparently standing on their ends (Fig. 9).
The photograph, which is taken from roughly east, shows the furthest
from the camera with a tape-measure stretched taut along its base. The
orientation of this stone, lengh-waysº -340° ; it is 60 cm high and 75 cm across
at ground-level.
Nothing similar has been encountered by us.
SiteMA B]
Only 21 /2 km north-east of Bir Moghrein and nestling clase under a
mountain, a large complex of Islamic graves and small standing stones,
dwarfed by three much larger stones (Fig. 10).
This site was visited by Meles. du Puigaudeau and Sénones, whom we
thank for their helpful comments4
•
Disregarding the Islamic graves and the small standing stones, which might
easily number several hundred, the three large standing stones are aligned
north to south. Their dimensions, reading from north, are:
l. 3.50 m high x 20 cm (north to south) x 30 cm (east to west).
2. 3.20 m high x 40 cm (north to south) x 20 cm (east to west).
3. 2.40 m high x 40 cm (north to south). This column is shaped like the
blade of a sword, with "sharp" edges to north and south 5
•
Number 1 is 12 paces from 2, which is 5 paces from 3. There is a fourth
(fallen) stone 9 paces to the soúth of number 3; it is about 1.40 m in length.
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These stones are apparently supported by heavy stones at their respective
bases and have presumably been re-erected at sorne stage.
37 paces west of the highest standing stone is the east edge of a square
mound of earth, apparently a tomb, orientated with sides running north to
south and east to west. Approximately in the top centre of the mound is a
stone-lined chamber measuring roughly 1.20 m north to south and 1.60 m
east to west and 90 cm deep. It is not exactly square and is lined with
flag-stones ("lajas"), the largest of which appears to measure
1.40 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.
We were unable to determine the probable shape of the edifice prior to
excavation, nor to say whether there may be a large stone construction
under the earth; we wondered whether, as an alternative, only the excavated
chamber was of stone, the whole being contained within a mound of earth.
There appears to be a similarity between this chamber and the two contained
within the largest construction at Site SA 11, elsewhere described and sorne
80 km dista,nt.
We conjecture that the 3 ( or 4) large standing stones and the earth mound
may have been the original monuments, if contemporary with each other,
and the remaining additions of much later date. This assumption is aided by
an apparent general difference in the types of stone used for the various
monuments: that of the major constructions is considerably harder.
We are much indebted to M. lePréféct,as well as to his chauffeur, for
indicating to us the existence of this monument.
Site MC B
(Cf. Monod, A. Figs. 20 to 23)
This "goulet" site is close to the edge of the Hamada de Tindouf where it
descends towards Zag, at sorne distance from any recognised track (Fig. 11).
An outer "circle" of small pieces of sílex laid in the ground has a diameter
of about 5.8 m north to south. At the approximte centre of the "circle"
there is a pile of stones. presumed to be a grave, about 80 cm high. Measured
from the east, the distance from the outer edge of the "circle" to the top
centre of the pile is l. 90 m. There is, in fact, no clearly-defined "entrance"
- made of patterns of stones - due to delapidation.
A number of Palaeolithic stone tools were upon the pile of stones, placed
intentionally or inadvertently when the pile was constructed, since many
such artifacts abound nearby, both above and below ground, in numerous
small oueds.
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Variations of this type of monument were seen, both north and south of
the Jebel Ouarkziz area (Tuisgui Remz), built in clase proximity to Stone
Age sites, as proven by the number of stone tools lying adjacent. In several
cases they were seen only because they were also clase to Islamic graves of
larger size 6•
SiteMCD/U
A large low construction, presumed to be a grave, about 8 km from Zag
beside the track to Tindouf, composed of a border of whitish stones
forming an enclosure. (Fig. 12)
About 40 cm high and standing mostly on end, these stones endose a
roughly circular area about 12 m, north-west to south-east and 16 m, north­east
to south-west. A flat-packed top is made of the same stones, filled in
with sand or earth 7•
Nothing similar has been observed by us elsewhere and the edifice is, in
any case, not easily visible from the track passing nearby, being built with a
slight eminence between it and the track.
Site MC F
A low black mound of stones, easily visible upan a hillock, sorne distance
to the north of Zag beside the track to Tuisgui Remz, indicated the
presence of another monument sorne paces to the west, sonsisting of a long
low pile of black stones aligned roughly north to south 8 •
This pile is 10 paces long and 50 cm high; width is 3 paces. The upper
portian is filled in, not with earth or sand, but with black rubble and large
stones are not used on top. Much sílex abounds in this area, stretching for
sorne hundreds of metres, with great abundence of fragments of stone tools.
SiteMC]
( cf. Monod, 1948, fig. 40 and Meunié et Allain) 9
Astride the Oued Draa a few kilometres south-east of Assa, this magni­ficent
necropolis, albeit very much wrecked by unknown vandals, deserves
special mention and expert research.
It is difficult to understand how the site has apparently failed to attract
the attention of experts hitherto, unless it be that the dangers of visiting the
zone were considerable up to 1956, with the fact that the Assa - Zag
route presumably acquired importance only since the piste Foum el
Hassan to Tindouf recently became impassable.
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The majerity of monuments are on the north side of the oued, with a few
to the south. These latter were not inspected, since they appeared to be large
tumuli. Due to the problem of seeing ali from one central point, a plan was
difficult to make without special instruments, but the apparently highest
construction on the north side was chosen as a datum point and bearings
taken, with a prismatic com pass, to all other visible menuments. It is not
proposed to mention more than a few here, these being given - far ease of
reference - the numbers recorded at the time. Twenty-one were observed in
all.
Sorne were puzzling, in that the original shape and form were hard to
determine, renderered all the harder by the apparent later addition of
standing stones - presumed to be Islamic - and by the general vandalism to
which most constructions have been subjected.
( 1) ( cf. Meunié et Allain, tum uli 1, 2 et seq.)
Clase to the north bank is a roughly circular edifice of one storey with a
gracefully-built entrance facing 115° (Fig. 13 and fig. 14 ).
The width of the entrance is 72 cm, height 85 cm; the large lintel placed
over the top is 1.20 m long and about 8 cm thick, covering the top of the
"doorway". The present height of the edifice is about 1.50 m, measured
from directly in front of the entrance where the ground slopes slightly
upwards, towards the north-west. Its apparent total diameter is 9.20 m.
In the top centre there is a cavity, largely filled with sand. The diameter
of the cavity is about 2.40 m and its edge lies sorne 3.40 m from the outer
edge of the entrance lintel, the entrance wall being 85 cm thick. Sorne large
"lajas" partly surround the entrance to the cavity, whose depth cannot be
determined due to sand.
The cruciform chamber inside the entrance is almost rectangular. The
horizontal measurements of this chamber are visible on the plan (Fig. 14 ). Its
height is roughly the same as that of the entrance lintel, 85 cm. Sorne large
flattish stones are used as roof-supports. We cannet say that this chamber at
one time connected with the cavity mentioned above. In regard to their
"tumulus one", Meunié et Allain consider that the chambers (in our own
case equivalent to the cruciform chamber under dicussion) have no com­munication
with the interiors of their respective tumuli; indeed, they are of
the opinion that the chambers may never have been closed nor formed actual
tombs 10
•
Another feature of the edifice is what we conjecture to be an exterier
wall, flagstone upon flagstone, on the west-north-west side; it leaves the main
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circumference of the building on an initial bearing of 200
°
and curves to the
south - height 90 cm, width 65 cm at rough centre peint - until seeming to
disappear about 2.67 m after starting. The existing wall is thus in horse-shoe
form, with sorne standing stones (presumed to be later additions) around
which is much sand. There are many loose stones outside this curving wall,
which reaches a point almost outside the entrance.
Upon inspection, Construction (2), very clase by to the west, seems to
possess an exterior wall which, in fact, rejoins the main edifice just prior to
reaching the entrance. This building is generally in much worse condition
than (1) above, except insofar as regards this exterior wall. Seen from above,
therefore, the original shape may have been something like a "figure eight"
and the orientation of both buildings is the same.
8.25 m from the entrance to (1), on a bearing of 120
°
, is the centre of a
small low circular stone construction, one of four aligned 40
°
-220
°
, The
easterly one is more like a horse-shoe than a circle; diameters are variable and
cannot be accurately measured. But we do not believe these to be the
"petites tours accessoires" mentioned by Monod near the triple "chouchet"
monuments but, rather, the work of sorne later Islamic builders.
(Fig. l5) 11, 12
(3) (cf. Monod, 1948, fig. 30)
A long low stone pile of the "croissant" variety, but "eye-shaped", in that
its pointed extremities are diametrically-opposed. Badly disfigured at the
centre by standing stones presumed to have been added later, orientation is
70
°
-250
°
. Length is 25 m; height, from the south side, not including that of
the standing stones, is 1.40 m; width is 6 m towards the western end.
In general terms, ( 2) is a few metres north-west of ( 1) and south-east of
(3 ).
(14) This is formed of two ruined constructions, the smaller of which,
standing to the northeast, could be simply a circular single "chouchet",
about 5 m in diameter.(Fig. 16).
To the south-west, with a diameter of 11 m, is a horse-shoe of ruined
masonry, about the original shape of which we can draw no conclusions.
Once again standing stones, presumed to be later additions, appear at the
mouth of the horse-shoe.
One small "piquetage" carving, ovaloid in form and about 20 cm from tip
to tip, was found on an inolated loase rock sorne 112 paces from the datum
point ( 4 ), not featured in this report, and bearing 140
°
from it.
This summary ignores the apparently more usual monuments seen at the
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site nor the many smaller ones close to large edifices, presumably built later
with stones taken from the latter.
One small edifice, presumed to be a grave, was found in a re-entrant close
to the north bank of the oued and to other buildings of European appear­ance.
Orientated north to south, it measured 2 m by 3 m and was bordered
by large flattish stones sunk into the earth, end-ways, to protrude slightly
above the surface.
Site ML 2
These two adjacent fields of (predominently fallen) standing stones are
about 18 km north-west of Niafouncké, thus roughly 150 km south-west of
Timbuctoo, next to a track running towards Lere (Fig. 17).
In the western and larger site we counted about 120 circular sandstone
monoliths. Only one large one remains standing to-day, measuring 1.80 m
high and 30 cm in diameter. Two large fallen stones, 16 m to west of the
above, were 2.30 m and 2.50 m long respectively, both with a diameter of
30 cm. Many of the monoliths lying on the ground were broken. We thought
we observed curious circular projections upon several, whose purpose is
unknown to us.
About 180 m east of the large site is a second, containing about 20 fallen
monoliths. Many are broken. The largest was 1.35 m long, with a diameter of
25 cm.
A photo not published here shows the arrangement of the site from the
south, apparently containing three seperate sandy mounds with stones
scattered about them; this we think formed an integral part of the site,
probably being man-made. Again we remarked a cirkular projection on one
stone pillar.
H. Alimen mentions that there are many megaliths in the Middle Niger
region, sometimes covering a great expanse 13•
We have been able to determine, in the short time available since our
return, that this is the Tondidoro site mentioned to us by Th. Monod 14
•
Site SA 2
Situated in the area known as Sidi Mulud, this site is in open ground,
containing an oued between two low hills, in an otherwise deserted lands­cape.
It is with the western of these hills that we shall concern ourselves,
specifically with a mound on top (Fig. 18).
Measured north to south at ground level the mound seemed to be about
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6 m long and 1.6 m high. About 75 cm above the ground a rough circle of
stones was built into the mound itself, around the edge, although sorne
stones were missing and the whole obscured, in part, by loase sand. On the
south side of the mound there appeared to be a rectangular addition to the
structure, made by two lines of stones running out from the edge of the
circle and at right angles to it. On the west side the line revealed a clear
construction, about 1.24 m long, running from the south side of the circle
itself down to ground level. The width of this protruding construction, as far
as could be seen, was about 1 m.
On the east side of the circle, a clear line of stones ran for 40 m, parallel
to the circle edge and 1.66 m from it; at both ends of this line further lines
joining it ran back towards the circle, although not quite parallel to one
another, apparently hitting the circle edge about 64 cm apart. The north side
of the circle is very decayed, but one may assume, from three positioned
stones about 90 cm from its edge, again parallel with it, that there was a
similar construction here, as also on the west side, where only a small rise in
the ground marks its presumed position.
To the east of the structure and about 4.5 m from its edge, a scatter of
stones runs for about 6 m; from its curving nature it is probably related to
the main structure, although it certainly does not seem to have been a
"croissant" (Monod, 1948, fig. 30)
From later comparison of a photo of an edifice kindly shown to us by
Sheikh Abdallah ar-R'Guibat and apparently located about 94 km east­south-
east of Meseid, south Morocco, we are iclined to think that it
may be similar to the site under discussion.
On both hills there are numerous rock carvings, the relation of those on
the western hill to our subject being one of clase proximity 15•
Site SA 3
This area, Ben Sacca, was visited, as was that above described, pri­marily
to look at rock carvings. However a number of stone edifices were
observed, notably the following:
Structure II (cf. Monod, 1948, fig. 13: Leisner, 1943) 16
A much-decayed circular structure built of stones piled in layers, about
1 m high and 3 m in diameter. Inside the circle is a partly covered chamber,
roughly rectangular and 45 cm deep. It is faced internally on the north-west
and south-west sides by "lajas", being about 1.4 m long and 1 m across. The
"floor" is dried sand or mud. The chamber is covered, to the north, by
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pebbles and packed earth. To the south, it is only partly covered, by two
large stone slabs resting east-west across the aperture (Fig. 19 ).
On the south-east side of the edifice are two large flattish stone blocks on
end in the ground, at right angles to, and adjoining, the stone circle.
Marked A and B on the plan, both are about 1.4 m long and around
60 cm high, the south one being very roughly cut. Distance apart is 90 cm.
Across them, sorne 60 cm from the stone edifice, another block C is laid,
being 1.28 m long and 60 cm wide.
StructureIII (cf. Monod, 1948, fig. 16: andJiménez Sánchez, 1971) 1 7, 18
About 35 m north of Structure 11, this edifice consists of a circle made of
layered stones, of which many are missing or decayed. A second circular
layer or storey u pon it is still standing, in good condition. I ts measurements
are 75 cm high and 2.4 m in diameter. The summit is covered with small
pebbles and fragments of slate (Fig. 20).
Structure IV ( cf. Site SA 2) (Fig. 21)
Only 4 m north-east of the above, this is a rough "wall" running north­north-
west to south-south-east, composed of very roughly-piled stones.
Dimensions are about 9 m long, 75 cm high and 60 cm wide. These latter
two figures should be considered very approximate indeed, due to the
delapidated and rough state of the edifice, which runs almost along the edge
of an escarpment to the east.
Site SA 4
Structure A (fig. 22)
In the region of Sidi Ahmed Laarosi, about 1 7 km north-west of
Semara, this construction, presumed to be a tomb, stands on the eastern
of two ridges. It consists of a rough enclosure made by placing slabs of stone
on end in the ground. These slabs in fact rise only about 6 or 7 cm above
ground-level and the space within them is packed with earth and small
stones, built up so as to be approximately level with the tops of the slabs.
Sorne slabs seem to be missing, but the north-south edges are about 1.4 m
long and the east-west edges about 1.66 m.
To the west are two standing stones placed in the ground as shown in the
plan, the northerly one being 103 cm in height and the south one 85 cm.
These stones may or may not be related to the structure, since there are
various other stones nearby.
This site can be compared with a series of similar constructions at Aguelt
Bou Habeira, north of Bir Moghrein (without the standing stones).
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Site SA 7
Structure A.
Clase to the edge of a long escarpment, running east to west and falling
away to southwards, this triple "chouchet" in the regían of Erni is the best
preserved example of a number of ruined monuments of varying types
(Fig. 23).
The respective heights of the storeys, from bottom to top, are 90 cm, 1 m
and 1.10 m: diameters are 9.95 m, 5.55 m and 3.75 m. The top of the
highest storey has a rough covering of pebbles and sorne earth and the
structure stands about 7.50 m back from the edge of the escarpment.
Unfortunately no measurements nor details are available far the aperture
apparent in the photograph.
Site SA 11 ( cf. Manad, 1948, page 25: "tombes quadrangulaires a
chambres")
In the area of Guelta Zemmur and clase to the airfield, the most
impressive of a group is a large square edifice at the south-west edge of a low
ridge running north and south, below others also of square shape (Figs. 24
and 25 ).
There are sand mounds, presumably man-made, on north, west and south
sides, in each case about 2 m from the edifice. 5.5 m from the east wall, in
sand, is a standing stone 81 cm high.
Lengths of the walls are: north, 6.5 m: east, 7.7 m. The average height of
these walls, as far as can be considered accurate, because of the manner in
which sand hides their bases, is about 95 cm. In the east wall is a doorway
(or possibly the remains of an annexe) whose average width is 80 cm; the
distance from the south-east comer of the edifice to the south edge of this
opening is 3 m.
Leading from the opening there is a first interior chamber measuring
l. 9 m, east to west and 1.25 m, north to south, which seems to have been
roofed, totally or in part, there being sorne large "lajas" at the centre,
around an orífice in the "roof". Beyond a dividing wall on the west side of
this first chamber begins a second, measuring about 1.45 m, east to west and
1.60 m, north to south. Large "lajas" partly roof this chamber too. The
distance between adjacent edges of the two chambers is about 1 m and a
good deal of sand makes the depth in each case impossible to determine
exactly.
No detailed examination was made of the other buildings nearby, all
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smaller but conforming to the same general pattern; one, at least, seemed to
have been circular, although not of the "chouchet" type ( cf. Manad,
figs. 15, 16, 18). We observed no evidence, such as quantities of extra stones
lying around the outside of the buildings, to suggest that they might have
been several storeys high. Nor, assumin:g that they are tombs, is it imme­diately
clear what manner of sealing was used after burial 19
•
Site SA 12
Also near the airfield of Guelta Zemmur is a complex of apparent
graves and standing stones (highest is 2.35 m), the latter conforming in
general pattern of confusion to the larger site at Aguelt Bou Habeira
(Fig. 26).
The standing stones are arientated 95° -275° , whereas those at A. Bou
Habeira, distant sorne 150 km to north-east, run 60° -240° . We conjec­tured
that the standing stones were the first monuments to be erected, in
conjunction with the oval tumulus behind, and that the remaining grave-like
constructions were added later by purely Islamic builders.
PART I
In this section we shall devote our descriptions to two types of apparently
related monuments seen in Mauritania, together with their adjacent construc­tions.
At the end we will examine sorne problems arising from what we have
seen during two journeys in Mauritania, bringing in one site from South
Morocco and one from Spanish Sahara. At the risk of offending the experts,
but only to avoid tedious repetition, we shall use the term "menhir" instead
of "standing stone".
Type 1.
Tumulus associated with a line of menhirs
We use the word "associated" quite deliberately, since, as will be seen,
from the diagram (Fig. 27 "Typical Site"), the menhirs can run across the
top of the tumulus as well as in front of it.
In what we consider a typical site there can be anything between 22 and 4
ar 5 menhirs in one line, passing to the front rather than behind the tumulus
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(or over it), with the highest in the centre and generally with stones de­creasing
in height as they run towards the outer ends of the line. W e often
felt that stones had been removed; occasionally we were sure of this20 •
The line may be straight or curved, the centre stone or stones commonly
facing (Fr.: "open") to south-east. There may also be a menhir a few paces
to the front of the line and a second just behind the tumulus. The following
examples show variations in orientation and composition.
Site MA BB (N. Khat Ataoui)
B. 22 menhirs, curving at west end, aligned 70
°
-250
°
. Largest is 70 cm high.
Ten paces to front is a large fallen menhir 1.80 m high. Seven paces
behind is another, 60 cm high. (Fig. 28)
C. 20 menhirs in a curved line, aligned 60
°
-240
°
at centre. Largest is 1.05 m
high by 60 cm wide maximum. Eight paces to the rear is a menhir 60 cm
high. A smaller "companion" tumulus lies to north of the main one, quite
clase to the line of menhirs. There are stone tools on the larger tumulus.
(Fig. 29)
D. A tumulus with sorne large fallen menhirs in front, whose dimensions are
1.70 high by 40 cm wide: 2.25 m high by 48 cm wide. The estimated
alignment of the vanished line of menhirs is about north-west to south­east,
this seeming rather unusual. There is a small menhir, 55 cm high,
behind the tumulus.
F. 15 delapidated and partly-leaning mehirs in a curve, or crescent, aligned
roughly north-east to south-west; there are two fallen menhirs in front
and two more to rear. Small "companion" tumulus, placed as in C above.
Site MA E (Aguelt Bou Habeira)
3. A delapidated line of menhirs, set right among and running across a later
Islamic complex as well as a tumulus. Orientation is 60
°
-240
°
. Other
straight lines of menhirs nearby also run across their respective tumuli,
orientation varying between 40
°
-220
°
and 30
°
-210
°
approximately.
Site SA 12 (Guelta Zemmur area) (Fig. 26)
A complex of later Islamic graves erected around a straight line of menhirs
and its tumulus; sorne of the menhirs are missing, but the orientation is
95
°
-275
º
(i. e, slightly west of south as regards "facing") with an oval
tumulus behind, measuring about 5 m north to south and low in proportion.
The highest menhir in the line is 2.35 m and we are indebted to Captain
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Angel Valero for arranging a visit to the site, which contained the largest
erect menhir so far seen in a site of this type.
SiteMA AS
A number of tumuli placed just to the south of the junction of two
oueds, at Lemqader, with more further south, on flat ground right outside
the south bank. In general these straight lines of menhirs were aligned about
east to west; one was found orientated north-east to south-west, as opposed
to a large menhir, only 120 m away, orientated east-south-east to west­north-
west, 2.30 m high and 90 cm wide (Fig. 30)21 •
Only one clearly-engraved menhir was seen, although Th. Monod saw
others previously22
• Sorne faded piquetage engravings, notably one sloping
rock with three bovids, was located on the south bank, about 200 m from
the large engraved menhir and bearing 145° .
There is also a small field of low menhirs, grouped together and men­tioned
by Th. Monod 23, sorne 60 paces to west-north-west of the engraved
menhir. The rough average height is 40-50 cm and the field measures about
10 paces across, being almost circular in shape. Sorne of these menhirs may
be missing (Fig. 31).
Site MA AU (Between Chinguetti and Atar)
A line of small menhirs, with tumulus, orientated 110° -290° (i. e, facing
just west of south). Sorne of the menhirs may be missing.
Site MA AZ (North Khat Atoui)
Seven menhirs before a small black tumulus; orientation is north-east to
south-west and the largest is 1.60 m high.
Site MA BC (Between Temimichat and Ben Amera)
A series of tumuli astride the railway, each with menhirs in a straight line
and orientated 40° -220° . One tumulus has a small menhir behind it and a
very small circle of black stones about 40 m in front. Various tumuli exist at
this site, without menhirs and in no apparent pattern on the ground.
Observations
1. The orientation as observed by us varied somewhere between north-east
to south-west and east-south-east to west-north-west, insofar as the
menhirs are concerned. Preponderant orientation was about 40° -220° .
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11. At any one site the orientation was reasonably consistent, except at
Lemqader.
iii. The highest menhir still standing was 2.35 m (Site SA 12).
It is worth recording that at Site MA AT (between Chinguetti and
Atar), not obviously in the category under discussion, we found a large
broken "laja", in two clearly defined pieces, lying across what we
believe to be a very roughly-made tumulus. If it ever was a menhir, its
total length was 4.08 m, width 22-25 cm and depth 21-27 cm.
iv. The smaller single ( occasionally double) menhirs, found in front of or
behind the main line, were clearly more vulnerable to pillage. Thus we
think that their use may well have been more common than present
appearances suggest.
v. The straight or curved) line of menhirs passed generally to one side of
the tum ulus, touching it; this we have called, correctly we hope, the
front side. Spruytte and Vincent Cuaz mention this type of alignment
in north Khat Atoui, although tey do not state general orientation24
•
At Site MA E the line of menhirs passed over the tumulus in each case.
We never saw a curved line of menhirs passing over a tumulus; but we
should like to cover a m uch wider zone befare being certain that such a
phenomenon does not exist.
v1. We saw so line containing more than 22 menhirs.
vii. Spruytte and Vincent Cuaz consider that the tumuli are probably
tombs25
• Th. Monod refers to excavation of various tumuli at Lem­qader,
including one where a skeleton was found in foetal position,
head to south, at a depth of 0,90 m2 6
• H. Alimen, however, has noted
that not all more recent tumuli in the Sahara contained bodies, being
built instead to honour sorne Islamic holy man (marabout) or simply as
markers for desert tracks or water-holes27 • She also states that tumuli
and "chouchets" were built by Moslems even after the conquest in the
11th century A. D.28•
viii. In two cases at Site MA BB we wondered whether the smaller adjacent
tumulus - if a grave - might contain the remais of a relative, wife of
follower of the occupant of the main tumulus.
ix. The Khat Atoui runs roughly north-east to south-west, stretching well
up into the RÍO de Oro; on the Spanish army maps it is called Uad Atui.
Our own researches were conducted to the south-west of the Sattel
Ogmane peaks, as well as, further north, in a line between the peaks and
the railway (P. K. 233).
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x. We wondered wether there is any reason far the differing shapes and
sizes of the larger menhirs, ranging from wide and low to thin, tall and
elegant.
Type 2.
"Crescent mounds" and "eye-shaped mounds" ("Crescents" and "eyes")
These are built of stones heaped one upan another. The best way of
showing our finds, situated almost entirely between Choum and F'Derick in
Mauritania, is by diagrams. Due to the large area covered by these exotic
monuments, photography is a real problem; thus our diagrams are schematic
only. Nonetheless we trust that they will convey the correct impression
which is, of course, one of complexity. As the patient reader will ovserve,
possession of a helicopter at the time of our visit would have simplified
greatly both his task and ours (Fig. 32).
Since the predominant orientation of crescents seen was almost always
north to south, or something near it, we shall number consecutive crescents
from the north 29
•
Site MA BD
Six granite crescents, "arm to arm" but not touching, set on the forward
slope of a low ridge running 60° -240° . Stone tools abound along the ridge.
l. A crescent 6 paces wide and 32 paces between arms, with a tail of inter­rupted
stones leading from each arm. At the end of the north arm is a
pattern of stones, set into the hard sand, which may be a circle or a
half-circle. Crescent faces about east-south-east. Bearing 178° from rear
centre of the crescent and 67 paces distant is the centre of a stone circle
of diameter 20 paces, whose outline is less clear on its south side. Sorne of
the stones are quite large and are firmly embedded in the hard sand 30
(Fig. 33).
2. A second crescent facing 125° , with a possible "diamond" or triangle of.
stones at the tip of its northern arm. Th. Monod shows a triangle at
Tindouf, fig. 30 31• N orth arm appears to be shorter and there are 33 paces
between the unequal arms.
3. The third crescent also has a longer south arm. The rear part of the body
may or may not join up with what seems to be a seperate low tumulus of
uncertain measurements. The total scatter of stones covers about 8 paces,
measured north to south. The tips of the arms are 20 paces apart and the
crescent faces about 125° .
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4. This is notable only for having the south arm longer than the northern.
5. A pair of crescents, one behind the other, nearly touching and given only
one number here. Their tails are orientated as shown in fig. 34 and fig. 35.
The outline of the rear crescent is bizarre.
6. With a much fatter body and short arms, this is probably the "tombeau
en crabe" of Spruytte and Vincent Cuaz who mention several standing
stones at tips of arms32
, but no orientation (Fig. 36)33
•
There is a possible tumulus 15 paces from the centre rear, in front of the
north arm, with another in front of the crescent, about 100 m distant. The
rear part of the body of the "crabe" may be a seperate tumulus34
•
SiteMA AY
Once again this site comprised six majar crescents, "arm to arm" and
seperated, along the forward slope of a ridge orientated 60° -240° ; the cres­cents
face anything between 100° and 145° . About 120 m to the rear of the
main ridge, at the foot of a rocky outcrop, are two small crescents, very
obscured by drifted sand, "arm to arm" and with about 80 m between their
tips.
15 paces to north-east of crescent number 3 and with equal alignment is
an "eye" 17 paces long (Fig. 37).
15 paces to north-east of crescent number 2 and slightly to the rear is a
second, smaller "eye" about 10 paces long, whose orientation is quite dif­ferent.
(Fig. 37)
32 paces to north-east of second "eye" is a construction whose shape is
uncertain: much sand makes even an inspired guess hazardous. However we
have attempted to reproduce its apparent outline in fig. 37. We conjecture
that it might be sorne kind of double tumulus seperated by a dip in the
centre35 •
A further crescent about 49 paces to northwards was the only one at the
site possessing tails.
SiteMA BE
A single crescent facing 95° , with a short fat body; there are apparent
gaps between body and each arm. The arms each possess a long tail (Fig. 38).
SiteMA BG
Two crescents on a ridge, orientated exactly north to south, on the for­ward
slope. North crescent, facing east, has long tails. There are two square
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"bulges" joined to the front of the body, 24 paces apart, one on each side of
front dead centre: there are two tumuli clase to the northern tail and
contained within its "radius". A third tum ulus lies behind, to south-west of
the centre of the crescent (Fig. 39 and fig. 40).
SiteMA BH
A single crescent on a ridge, apparently excavated, clase to F'Derick.
Silex flakes and much eroded Palaeolithic implements litter the area. Its
orientation and size conform to those seen elsewhere.
SiteMA BI
A single crescent set on low flat ground, among rocks, with no mountain
nearby, clase to F'Derick. It has short arms and no tails. This monument is,
surprisingly, we think, orientated with its north arm pointing to 328° and
south arm to 212° . The crescent therefore faces 280° , or slightly to north of
west (Fig. 41).
Th. Manad mentions a crescent facing south-west, but does not otherwise
comment36
•
Observations
i. Crescents tended to lie along the forward slopes of low ridges, facing
east or south-east.
ii. H. Bessac has mentioned to Th. Monod that, in the Tindouf area, the
north arm is often the longest. Sorne of those seen by us had longer
southern arms37
•
iii. We could see no pattern of conformity in the arrangement of adjacent
tumuli.
iv. The differing shapes and arrangement of crescents at Site MA BD (total­ling
six, or seven if we count the double crescent 5 as two individual
constructions) caused us to wonder whether crescents at the same site
are always contemporary. The apparent difference in the standard of
workmanship is surprising.
v. Spruytte and Vincent Cuaz do not doubt that crescents are funerary
monuments, although they do not cite making excavations38
•
v1. Orientation may vary considerably at the same site (MA A Y).
vu. We imagined that we detected a tendency towards north to south align­ment
in the more northerly area (Tindouf, Bir Moghrein), with that in
southern area being more variable, in respect of both crescents and eyes.
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vm. Two si tes 28 km apart each possessed six majar crescents; these were
placed "arm to arm" but not touching.
ix. Th. Monod shows crescents "arm to arm" and with their tips touch­ing39.
x. A typical distance between centres of adjacent crescents seemed to us
to be about 100 m to 120 m.
xi. Between Atar and Chinguetti, at the point where the track emerges
from the mountains, we saw four large crescents on flat ground; they
were placed in two pairs, "arm to arm" but well apart, one pair behind
the other.
xii. The height of crescents was hard to determine, due to positioning on
forward slopes, we therefore estimated a typical height as being
between 50 cm and 1.20 m.
xiii. No small tumuli nor stone patterns were seen very clase to individual
"eyes".
xiv. At Site MC J (The necropolis south-east of Assa) an eye was found very
clase to large stone constructions elsewhere described. It was 25 m
long, 1.40 m high and 6 m wide. Another was seen at Site MA L, south
of Atar, on flat ground and clase to a single crescent of equal size in
general, with sorne "chouchets" about 600 m distant to west-south­west.
A third was seen (Site MA H, north of Bir Moghrein) standing well back
from the edge of an escarpment, with a group of "chouchets" roughly
east and clase to the edge, sorne 100 m away from the "chouchets".
We wondered, in all three cases, whether the eyes were actually as­sociated
with the remaining monuments or even contemporary with
them, the crescent at Site MA L excepted.
xv. We cannot say whether the large stone circle observed at Site MA BD is
associated with the crescents nearby.
Alimen mentions ancient circles traced out by means of stones either
just lying on the ground or stuck into it and considers that the age and
use of these monuments are quite unknown40
•
xvi. Builders of crescents, eyes and associated monuments seem to have
enjoyed considerable artistic lincence; only further exhaustive study
may preve the contrary.
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Conclusion
A general pattern of similarity of orientation seems to exist between
crescents, eyes and lines of straight ( or curving) menhirs associated with their
respective tumuli.
If there is one deduction possible, it is surely that a monument facing
towards Mecca has a better chance of being Islamic than one which is not so
placed. The relationship between crescents and eyes alone is intriguing; so is
the question of whether earlier stone implements were placed upan
monuments by chance or with intent.
Time and patient study could, we feel, reveal much baout the builders of
these exquisite constructions, whose complexity seems to be rivalled only by
their aesthetic beau ty.
NOTES
1 Cf. Campf, 1961, fig. 75, "table d'offrande"; and Pervés, 1945, (Bulletin de la Société Préhistori­que
Fran1raise), page 5, "foyer votif''.
2 Cf. Site SA 4, Structure A. For a description of the general area see Gauthier-Pilters, 1973, area
Oummat el Hamm.
3 Alimen, 1957, page 403.
4 Personal communication.
5 Cf. Reygasse, 1950, plates 50 and 51, Kreb es Saffiat.
6 Cf.Camps, 1961, page 125, fig. 23, "Dolmen a couloir" and Almagro, 1970, fig. 758.1.
The outline of a typical "goulet", seen from above, is similar.
7 See Almagro, 1946, page 287, Tucat en Haila; and Frison-Roche, 1960, photo 87, tombs at Tazolé
(Ténéré)
8 Cf. 7 above.
9 Meunié et Allain, 1956, Tumuli 1,2.
10 Cf. Gatefosse, 1935, page 54; and Jiménez Sánchez, 1970, page 98, fig. 1, "Tipo de vivienda de
planta cruciforme" and 1971, page 203, fig. 13, "casa cruciforme".
11 Monod, 1948, page 20.
12 Is it coincidence that a line of such little towers (Almagro, 1946, page 279 and 281: Milburn,
1972, Fig. 14a) are aligned roughly north to south? Can the alignment of towers to the east of a
triple "chouchet", viewed from above, have any connection with the same view of the circle and
line of standing stones at Diam-Diam, (Mauny, 1970, page 197)?
13 Alimen, 1957, page 406.
14 Personal communication.
15 Milburn, 1972, op. cit, figs. 1 to 6.
16 Cf. Leisner, 1943, aerial view of Taffel 42, nos. 35 to 42, for outline and orientation: and
Taffel 59, 68, 75.
17 Cf. Jiménez Sánchez, 1971, page 202, Túmulo at Montaña Redonda.
18 Martinez Santa-Olalla, 1944, Tomo II, Lámina CCXXXIII.
19 Cf. Site MA BJ, square monument.
20 Cf. Nowak, 1971, page 60, Megalithische Anlage I.
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21 Monod, 1948, Fig. 53 and text: Monod, 1938, Figs. 53, 54 and text: Ruhlemann, 1935, page 11.
22 Monod, 1948, page 30.
23 Monod, 1948, Fig. 57: Mauny, 1962, Planche II, "Ensemble de pierres dressées".
24 Spruytte et Vincent Cuaz, 1956, photo, "Pierres dressées d'Agada".
25 Spruytte et Vincent Cuaz, 1956, page 148.
26 Monod, 1948, page 31: Souville, 1965, page 483.
27 Alimen, 1957, page 401.
28 Alimen, 1957, page 403. See also Chudeau, 1920, page 113, for orientation oflslamic monuments.
29 Chudeau, 1920, page 113.
30 Cf. Hugot, 1962, Fig, I, circle; Monod, 1932, page 144, 18. A.
31 Cf. Spruytte et Vincent Cuaz, 1956, page 147 (c), several standing stones at extremities of arms.
32 See 31 above,
33 Cf. Voinot, 1908, page 333 and 337.
34 At this site we would like to mention finding what we believe to be part of a huge hand-axe.
Cf. Mateu, 1945/46, page 67, "los Bafot", huge men alleged to have built all the Saharan me­galiths,
We have also been told of an officer named Vicario finding sorne enormous human bones.
35 Cf. Monod, 1932, page 27. A.
36 Monod, 1948, page 27.
37 Monod, 1948, page 27.
38 Spruytte et Vincent Cuaz, 1956, "tombeaux en crabe",
39 Monod, 1948, fig. 31.
40 Alimen, 1957, page 404.
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Frani;:aise, LVI, nos. 7-8, Paris 19 59.
Eléments nouveaux sur les monuments funéraires préislamiques du Maroc, Bullétin
de la Société Préhistorique Frani;:aise, LXII, no. 2, Paris 1965.
Los monumentos funerarios preislámicos de Marruecos, Monografías, XXXI,
Barcelona 1968.
SPRUYTTE, J. et VINCENT CUAZ, L.: Note sur les monuments funéraires préis­lamiques
du Nord Khat Atoui (Mauritanie), Bullétin de Liaison Saharienne, no. 24,
Alger 1956.
VOINOT, L.: Reconnaissance du bassin supérieure de l'Igharghan et visite du sud du
Ahaggar et de l'Ahnet, Bullétin du Comité de l'Afrique frani;:aise (Supplément,
Renseignem en ts coloniaux), Paris 190 8.
ZUSAMMENF ASSUNG
Die beiden Autoren beschreiben Steinbauten aus Mauretanien, Marokko, der
Spanischen Sahara und Mali aufgrund eigener Feldforschung. Es handelt sich
vorwiegend um Grabbauten aus vorislamischer Zeit in F orm von terrassierten
Kegelstüropfen, von Steinhaufen (zuro Teil roit seitlich angesetzten Aus­laufern,
was einen mandel- oder mondsichelformigen Grundri.B ergibt) und
uro menhirahnliche aufgerichtete Steinpfeiler, meist in Forro von Gruppen
vorkororoend. Auch hier ist ein bogenforroiger Grundri.B der Steinsetzungen
haufig.
127
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
z:G 1
_MARQKKQ _􀀪􂨠 eTINDUF
r,, • '"' @ @ 1 ,􀀫􂭌LGERlEN
SMARA \ti 1 '


At .BEN TILI ',
GU􀀩􂥔TAI efüR MOGHREIN ' @j /"'> ,,
SPANISCHE 1 /
VILLA c􀀬􂱴t􀀭􂵳sARA .-J /
( (
1 e HRT GOURAU.D


( F' .DERICk.)

ti\-. (i)- © -'e(HOUM \
􀀉􀤠 eWADANE \
NOUAl>HIBOU AT:R .@ \ CHINGUETfl
\
128
MAURETANIEN
eTlbJIKA
•NOUAKCHOTT

.WALATA \
--. KIFFA AiOUN \
1/,--- ' • 0 EL ATROU5 /
e STLOU/S "' / @.
\ I"'\ - 1'-- _____ } GOUN.MM SENEGAL I ,. -
",,-􀀇􀜠
V MALI
l @
\
1 Hamada de Tinduf 7 Ben Amera
2 Sidi Mulud 8 Temimichat
3 Ben Sacca 9 Sattel Ogmane area
4 Erni 10 Khat Atoui area visited
5 Oummat el Hamm 11 Lemqader
6 Guelta Zemmur 12 Tondidoro
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
3.lf-0
5.0o=

Fig. 1: Site MA A
2.-SOIM.
-1.oc,4
1.,.,-
'f-.􀀅􀕯o-.
Fig. 2: Site MA G
1
129
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
130
Fig. 3: Site MA G - Chouchet with square base and round top (Foto Milburn)
l-------1
012-0

Fig. 4: Site MA B
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Fig. 5: Site MA E 5 - Stone rectangle, looking north (Foto Milburn)
o
Fig. 6: Site MA E 8
131
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Fig. 7: Site MA H 4
':¡.,50..,.,,,.
Fig. 8: Site MAL A
132
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Fig. 10: Site MA BJ - Cemetary near Bir Moghrein (Foto Milburn).
Fig. 9: MA A
Fig. 11: Site MC B
133

Fig. 13: MC J (1)
Fig. 14: Site MC J (1)

N
t
135
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
136
Petites tours
accessoires
.. ··:
..
"• . .. ..
-
Fig. 15: Petites tours accessoires

..

Fig. 16: Site MC J (14)
137

Fig. 17: Site ML 2 - Field of menhirs looking north (Foto Milburn)
tJ
()
6>

o óº
& i::o
Fig. 18: Site SA 2
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Structure II
N
t

..
Fi' g. 19: Site SA 3
/
/'
139
'
\
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Fig. 20: Site SA 3
\
Structure IV 􀀗􁜠


Fig. 21: Site SA 3
140

Fig. 22: Site SA 4
Structure A

Fig. 23: SA 7 Structure A
141

'
Fig. 25: Site SA 11
Fig. 24: Site SA 11

Fig. 26: Site SA 12
@
menhir tumulus .; a crescent
front Q menhir
􀀦􂙓SE
Fig. 27: Typical Site - Tumulus associated with a line of menhirs
143
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
--' . .:.

Fig. 28: Site MA BB B - Curving line of menhirs in front of a tumulus (Foto Milburn)

Fig. 29: Site MA BB C - Curving line of menhirs in front of a tumulus (Foto Milburn)
144

Fig. 30: Site MA AS - Engraved standing stone (Foto Milburn)
Fig. 31: Site MA AS - Field of small standing stones (Foto Milburn)
145
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
arm ,,-;;,
'

. •
Fig. 32: Typical "Crescent"
Fig. 33: Site MA BD 1 - Stone circle and crescent beyond, looking west (Foto Milburn)
146
© Del documento, los autores. Digitalización realizada por ULPGC. Biblioteca, 2017
Double crescent 5
,1 V\>\>M. = o,so 􀀆􀘠
Fig. 34: Site MA BD
--
? part of body or 􀀮􂸠
separate tumulus
Crescent 6 l
Fig. 36: Site MA BD
Fig. 35: Site MA BD 5 - Double crescent, looking north (Foto Milburn)
147
Crescent "E
? Double T
yes " and
umulus
35º
\
Fig. 37·. si· te MA AY

Depression


'Tumulus I

O:>􀀃􀌠 OQ 1 Fig. 38: Site MA BE 1
.-􀀅􀔮.
Square
Tumulus
Square Tumulus


Fig. 39: Site MA BG ,:
Fig. 40: Site MA BG - Crescent and tumuli, looking south-west (Foto Milburn)
149

not to scale
Fig. 41: Site MA BI
150