The Stone
Circles of Senegambia includes 1053 stone circles and 28,931 monoliths.
There’re four circles groups have been selected for world heritage listing, two
locations in Gambia and two in Sengal. The location can be found in Kerbatch
Central River Division (Gambia, Wassu Central River Division (Gambia), Sine
Ngayène Kaolack (Senegal) and Wanar Kaolack (Senegal). So, these four
locations, comprises 93 stone circles and various tumuli and burial mounds.
Although, age and origins remains a mystery, however, recent findings suggest
somewhere between 3rd century BC and 16th century AD.
Therefore, the stone circles of Senegal and the Gambia are most inspiring
remains that have mystified the travelers from many centuries.
Although,
there’re several stone circles have found throughout Europe and the Near East,
however there are so large a concentration as found on the north bank of the
river Gambia. Though, it is quite puzzling, of large group of similar monuments
so well established and showing dynamic culture. The Saloumn and Gambia River
area is containing several curious features of unique V or Lyre stones.
Although, the commonest shape is round like a pillar with a flat top, and some
are taper upwards and few cup shaped hollow on top.
The Stone
Circles composed of standing position between 10 and 24 in any particular circle.
The most impressive feature is that, almost entire stones forming are same
height and size. However, their height is varying between 245cm and 60cm and
diameter is 30c to 100cm. The N’Jai Kunda (largest stone) weight is more than
10 tons. This stone were brought down a steep hillside and transportation on
rollers on hammocks must have presented formidable difficulties and labor
force. The stones were cut out of laterite that occurs in ample outcrops in
this part of world and its hardening exposure to air relatively easy to quarry.
Moreover,
Islamic historian and wise explorers have presented several opinions, regarding
the Senegambia Stone Circles. A famous Islamic scholar Kuntaur Fulla Kunda
says, if a small stone stand near a large one, that present that someone was
buried with his/her child. However, if stones are in V-Shape that means, two
close relatives died on the same day and buried together. Hence, these days,
small stones and vegetables are still left on the stones and said to shine
bright at night. The famous Wassue Sone Circles is widely popular among tourist
and hundreds of visitors come to here to see the mystery of standing stones.
The Stone Circles offering a sight of success, cultural heritage.
