Le tumulus

Terres Touareg

The mysteries of tumuli: funerary monuments in the Algerian Sahara

Ancient tombs from the Neolithic period, tumuli are found throughout the Algerian Sahara. These mysterious and fascinating structures intrigue visitors, offering a glimpse into the past
of the Tuareg people and their ancestors. Discover the history and secrets of these ancient monuments.

Definition of a tumulus

In archaeology, a tumulus is an eminence of earth or stone covering a burial site. These funerary structures can be found in every region of the world where civilisations have developed, including the Sahara, the territory of the Tuareg people. Generally circular in shape, they can take on a variety of configurations, and over time their initial appearance can be transformed by natural erosion.

Tumuli can be simple or elaborate, with concentric facings and sometimes stepped elevations. They also vary in size, from small burials to full-scale necropolises. Tumuli are often built for one or more burials, reflecting the importance of the deceased and the funerary practices of their communities.

The tumulus: a common funerary structure in the Algerian Sahara

Stone funerary monuments are ubiquitous in the Algerian Sahara, particularly in regions inhabited by the Tuareg people. Some of these monuments, such as the keyhole burial mounds of Tassili n’Ajjer, date back to the 4th millennium BC and bear witness to Neolithic burial practices. With their keyhole shape, these burial mounds are one of the most emblematic types of burial from this period in the Sahara.

These Neolithic burial mounds, which predate Islam, show that the societies of the time already had complex spiritual beliefs and funeral rituals. The dead were buried in elaborate tombs, often dug into hills and facing the rising sun, probably symbolising a link with the solar beliefs of ancient peoples.

The architecture of Saharan burial mounds

Saharan burial mounds, some of which measure up to 100 m in diameter, are impressive in their size and complexity. They often reflect the high social status of the deceased, and their size seems to indicate power over the territory. Each community, including the ancestors of the Tuareg people, had its own funeral rituals and necropolises.

In the centre is usually the burial chamber, where a man lies on his right side in a flexed position. This chamber is connected to two antennae facing east, the whole surrounded by an outer circle. In some tumuli, known as ‘crater tumuli’, a cavity at the top marks the graves reserved for women and children.

The burial mounds of the Algerian Sahara, whether simple or complex, provide fascinating evidence of the burial practices of the region’s ancient inhabitants, particularly the ancestors of the Tuareg people. These imposing monuments, visible from afar, tell stories of beliefs, power and traditions that are deeply rooted in the culture of the peoples of the Sahara.

The mysteries of tumuli: funerary monuments in the Algerian Sahara
The mysteries of tumuli: funerary monuments in the Algerian Sahara
The mysteries of tumuli: funerary monuments in the Algerian Sahara

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