Stone Circles of Senegambia

The Stone Circles of Senegambia are a series of megalithic stone circle complexes across The Gambia and Senegal, recognised for their archaeological importance and association with prehistoric burial practices. The serial property was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006.

The stone circles were erected by local prehistoric communities and are associated with funerary practices; archaeological studies have recovered grave goods and human burials indicating ritual use. The monuments document a long-standing megalithic tradition in this region of West Africa.

The stone circle complexes occur across lowland savannah and cultivated areas in northern The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal, with the best-known groups accessible from regional towns and small road networks.

• UNESCO inscription: Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006 as a serial property representing a major megalithic tradition in West Africa with ritual and funerary associations.
• Visiting tip: Many circles consist of upright stones set in rings and were associated with burial mounds and deposits; local guides at principal sites can explain variations in layout and local traditions.

What to See #

• Stone circle clusters: Scattered groups of megalithic stone circles and associated burial features found in both The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal, often located in open savannah or cultivated land.
• Principal sites: Major clustered sites include the Wassu complex on the Gambia side and several related groups across northern Senegal; these sites are key reference points for study and visitor access.