AKREIJIT
Akreijit, one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Dhar Tichitt region of Mauritania, dates back to around 2000 BCE, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of Neolithic communities that thrived in the Sahara thousands of years ago. This ancient settlement, part of a network of communities that existed between 2000 BCE and 500 BCE, is marked by well-preserved stone structures, tombs, and traces of early agricultural practices, revealing a sophisticated society that predates many other known civilizations in West Africa.
The site’s proximity to the dramatic cliffs of the Dhar adds to its historical depth, as this region once boasted a much greener and more fertile environment, supporting life for centuries. Nearby rock carvings and cave paintings, some dating back over 4,000 years, further illustrate the cultural and spiritual practices of the people who lived here.
Akreijit is a remarkable example of a society that thrived in a changing environment, leaving behind a rich legacy of human ingenuity and adaptability in the Sahara.
COORDINATES 26°48’20’’ N 13°32’23’’ E

The Sahara Desert, known today for its harsh, arid climate, was once vastly different. Over millennia, Earth's climate has undergone cyclical changes, making the Sahara a striking example of how profoundly these cycles can alter a region.
Scientific research has shown that shifts in the Earth's axial tilt, or obliquity, which occur approximately every 20,000 years, influence the amount and distribution of rain and sunlight the planet receives. These shifts drive changes in global climate patterns, and regions like the Sahara are particularly sensitive to these variations, experiencing alternating phases of humid and arid conditions.
During periods when the axial tilt favours increased solar energy at the equator, the Sahara benefits from enhanced monsoon activity, resulting in a "green Sahara" phase. This period is characterised by lush vegetation, abundant lakes, and rivers, supporting diverse wildlife and human settlements. Archaeological evidence, including rock art, fossilised remains, and ancient settlements, reveals a landscape that once supported large herds of animals and early human communities.

photo by Luca Abbate
The most notable period of this greener Sahara occurred during the Holocene epoch, particularly from around 9000 to 3000 B.C. During this time, the Sahara experienced a series of alternating humid and arid phases, each lasting about 2,000 years.
However, after 5000 B.C., the Earth's axial tilt shifted again, gradually reducing monsoon activity and leading the Sahara toward its current hyper-arid state. Although there were temporary humid phases, they became shorter and less intense, eventually giving way to longer, harsher dry periods.
Around 3000 to 1000 B.C., the western Sahara entered the Nouakchottian phase, marked by more predictable rainfall patterns and seasonal contrasts. Communities in regions like Dhar Tichitt established stable agropastoral societies, leveraging the region's seasonal water sources and fertile land.

photo by Luca Abbate
Matmata is one of the few remaining permanent bodies of water in Mauritania, making it a rare and vital oasis in the vast desert. This remote location is also home to the last surviving Nile crocodiles of the region, a unique reminder of the once-thriving wildlife that inhabited the desert.
Dhar Tichitt and Akreijit
As the Sahara gradually transformed into its present desert state, some areas, such as Dhar Tichitt in south-central Mauritania, retained enough water to support life for thousands of years. Dhar Tichitt, characterised by sandstone cliffs rising 60 metres above the plains, became a refuge for Neolithic communities migrating from the increasingly arid northern Sahara. This region, stretching 400 kilometres between Dhar Tichitt and Dhar Oualata, once housed more than 500 villages, making it one of the most significant Neolithic settlements in West Africa.
The Dhar Tichitt communities, living from around 2300 to 500 B.C., were among the earliest agropastoral societies in the region. Their villages, built on cliff edges near seasonal water bodies, were shielded from extreme climates by the cliffs, while the fertile valleys below supported cultivation and herding. Discoveries of over 500 villages indicate a highly organised settlement system, strategically placed to utilise water sources during the rainy season.

photo by Luca Abbate
Life In Dhar Tichitt
Adapted to their environment, the people of Dhar Tichitt practised semi-nomadism, adjusting to the fluctuating climate. During the rainy season, they lived in well-constructed villages on the cliff plateaus. These villages, built with heavy dry-stone masonry, featured stone enclosures used for both living spaces and storage. Archaeological evidence suggests the inhabitants cultivated bulrush millet, which grew wild in the area. This crop, along with herded livestock, formed the basis of their diet during the wet season.

photo by Luca Abbate
However, life in Dhar Tichitt was not static. As the dry season set in and water sources on the cliffs began to recede, the population would migrate short distances down to the valley floors. Here, temporary camps were established, close to the remaining pools of water in the deepest parts of the valleys. These seasonal camps allowed the people to continue herding livestock and gathering wild grains, which supplemented their millet-based diet. Evidence of these temporary settlements is sparse, as the drifting sands have likely buried many of them, but traces of hearths, broken pottery, and grain-processing tools have been uncovered in the interdunal depressions.

photo by Luca Abbate
The food procurement system during this time was diverse, reflecting the adaptability of the people. Millet was cultivated near the villages, livestock was herded during both wet and dry seasons, and wild grains and fruits were gathered in the dry months. Fishing and hunting were also practiced year-round. Millet, in particular, was a crucial resource and is still found growing wild in some areas of Dhar Tichitt. This resilience in food production allowed the people to thrive for nearly two millennia in what was becoming an increasingly harsh environment.
The settlements themselves were carefully designed to make the most of the available resources. Houses were built close together, forming tight-knit communities, with narrow alleys between them that led to open public squares. The architecture, based on dry-stone masonry, shows a level of sophistication and planning that indicates these villages were more than just temporary camps—they were established centers of community life, trade, and agricultural activity.

photo by Luca Abbate
Abandonment of Dhar Tichitt
By 500 B.C., the climatic conditions in Dhar Tichitt had shifted dramatically. A prolonged dry spell marked the end of the region's ability to sustain its Neolithic population. The alternating wet and dry seasons that had defined life in the region for nearly two millennia gave way to an arid phase that would ultimately lead to the desertification of the entire area. Even though the Tagant region was one of the last to succumb to the encroaching desert, it could not escape the inevitable.
The abandonment of Dhar Tichitt appears to have been a gradual process. Small groups of families likely left in stages, moving south and southeast in search of more hospitable environments. The exact destinations of these migrating populations are still debated, but it is believed that they may have played a role in the rise of the Ghana Empire, which would go on to dominate West Africa from the 6th to the 13th centuries A.D. This migration marks one of the many times in history that climate change forced significant shifts in human settlement patterns, leading to the rise and fall of entire civilizations.
The rich history of Dhar Tichitt, though now largely forgotten, still leaves traces in the culture and practices of modern Mauritania. Semi-nomadic lifestyles, for example, persist to this day among roughly 10% of Mauritania’s population, echoing the adaptive strategies of their Neolithic ancestors.

photo by Luca Abbate
Akreijit
Akreijit is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the Dhar Tichitt region and offers a glimpse into the ancient world of these Neolithic communities.
The village of Akreijit is also known as the Monod Site or Monodville, named after the scholar Monod who first documented it in 1934. Over the past two decades, the site has been extensively researched by H.-J. Hugot, S. Amblard, and R. Vernet, with some initial restoration work done.
The village extends along a cliff edge overlooking an ancient lake and includes about 180 enclosures spanning 20 hectares, enclosed by a perimeter wall. Outside the walls, large cattle pens and rock shelters used for storage and silos are visible.

photo by Luca Abbate
The architectural details of Akreijit reflect sophisticated urban planning. The enclosures' walls consist of two layers with a fill of rubble between them. Buildings, whether residential or storage, were equipped with monolithic pillars, and some standing blocks served as walls. Hearths, made of upright slabs, were located in the enclosures outside the buildings. Essential domestic activities took place within the enclosures, evidenced by pottery shards and grinding tools such as mills, handstones, and various pounders. Paved thresholds and an emerging roadway system contribute to the settlement's almost urban character.
The archaeological finds are particularly abundant, including over 2,000 lithic pieces, 700 of which are grinding stones. Diorite axes are numerous, and there are arrowheads, bone tools (hooks, harpoons) noted by Th. Monod in 1937, and mortars. Decorative items are varied, including amazonite beads and pendants, stone rings, and fragments of terracotta figurines, along with rock engravings depicting bovids.

photo by Luca Abbate
Today, the ruins of Akreijit, along with the modern village bearing the same name, stand as a reminder of the complex society that once thrived here.
A 30-kilometre journey from Tichitt, the region’s main settlement, leads visitors to witness the dramatic landscape that sustained life here for thousands of years. The dramatic terrain, with its sweeping views of the desert, seems an unlikely cradle of life, yet it once supported a thriving civilization.
From the top of the cliffs, the view of the surrounding desert is striking. It’s hard to imagine this barren landscape as the fertile, green land it once was. The ruins offer a tangible connection to the past, where one can see the remnants of a thriving Neolithic culture that was closely attuned to its environment. Nearby, cave paintings and rock carvings further testify to the rich cultural life of the people who once called this place home.

photo by Luca Abbate
While the modern village of Akreijit is relatively simple, the ancient ruins are far more impressive. The ancient village, with 177 enclosures spread over 15 hectares, is organised into clusters of domestic units. These dry-stone structures feature remains of alleys, public squares, and private enclosures, showcasing the architectural sophistication of its inhabitants. Excavations reveal that these enclosures were likely homes for extended families, with some used for storing food or sheltering livestock.
The site's guardian leads the rare, curious travelers through the most fascinating areas of the ancient settlement, providing a valuable history lesson that reveals Neolithic houses, tombs, and rock art unlike any other.
Akreijit, with its ancient ruins and modern village, vividly showcases the legacy of Sahara’s communities. From the earliest settlers thousands of years ago to today’s descendants, the people of Dhar Tichitt have continuously adapted and thrived in this unique environment, carrying an invaluable heritage in their DNA.

photo by Luca Abbate

photo by Luca Abbate
Very intriguing! Your articles take us to some incredible unheard of places. Those cliff formations are very interesting. Looks like different geology to the surroundings.
We,in the central Mediterranean, will now soon be the next climate migrants…
TIMOTHY OWEN PRICE I’M A MOOR-MAURITANIAN FROM THE UNITED STATES.