Overview:

is a multi-period archaeological site located in the province of Namibe, Angola. It includes rock shelters and cave paintings, plus various other cultural artifacts from the Stone Age, Iron Age, and historic periods. This site is of immense archaeological importance as one of the last unburdened areas in Southern Africa to contain material from past cultures. It has been the focus of both archaeological surveys and excavations carried out by local and international teams. The site is being protected by the Angolan government with the help of the local community. It is currently proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Angola
Prominent Features:

Tchitundo-Hulu is an archaeological site located in southwestern Angola in the region of Namibe. It is composed of seven large stone pyramids that are considered to be from the Kingdom of Namibe, an Iron Age Kingdom known to have flourished from the 12th to 14th century. The site was likely built in the 8th to 10th century, and is notable for its size and location. The site is seen as an important archaeological site due to its standing and impressive size, and has already supplied researchers with an abundance of material culture. Tchitundo-Hulu is characterized by its large and varied architecture. The sites most well-known feature is the large seven stone structures. Other features include a platform, several walls, two squares, and a staircase. This complex structure is an important indication of the collapse of the Iron Age Kingdom and its powerful culture during the Medieval period. The site also has an important archaeological significance due to the artifacts found here. A wealth of ceramic fragments, tools, and jewelry have been found in the pyramids, further adding to the questions that still remain about the site. Given the site’s importance, the Angolan government declared it a national monument in 2020, thus providing much-needed protection to the site from looters and urban decay. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Angola.

History:

The archaeological site of Tchitundo-Hulu is located in Namibe Province, in the far south of western Angola. The site was first recorded by archaeologists in 2001, and is believed to date back to the 15th-16th century. It is a well-preserved archaeological ruin composed of vast earthen structures that are interspersed with large heaps of shells. Tchitundo-Hulu has been identified as a pre-colonial fishing center, with the remains of a castle, barracks, markets, and storehouses. The site is known to have once had a large saltwater lake, though it has since dried up. It is thought to have been part of a trading network that extended along the south Atlantic coast. Excavations at the site have yielded various artifacts, including pottery shards, glass beads, and metal objects. These artifacts are believed to have been used in trade and in the manufacture of fishing nets. Other artifacts, such as shellfish and bones, have been found in the middens associated with the site, suggesting that the inhabitants relied heavily on the sea for their sustenance. Tchitundo-Hulu is a unique archaeological site in Angola that reveals the pre-colonial inhabitants' reliance on the sea for their sustenance and for their trading needs. The site is an important archaeological resource for understanding the past of southern Africa and the culture and customs of the indigenous peoples. It is an ongoing project, and further studies may reveal more information about the past inhabitants, their trading networks, and their lifestyles. Visit one of the famous monuments of Angola with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The archaeological site of Tchitundo-Hulu – Namibe was initially discovered in the early 1970s by a local farmer who was met with an abundance of pottery fragments and beads scattered across the landscape. 2. The site is believed to be one of the oldest archaeological sites in Angola, with evidence suggesting that it was used by hunter-gatherers between 1000 and 300 BCE. 3. Excavations at the site have revealed artifacts made from ostrich eggshell and stone that provide insight into the daily lives of the hunter-gatherers who once called this area home. 4. While stone tools were found in abundance, organic artifacts such as wooden tools and baskets, as well as bones, have not been preserved over time due to the climate. 5. The site also contains evidence of corn agriculture, suggesting that the hunter-gatherers living in the area had transitioned from a purely hunter-gatherer lifestyle to one that also included elements of growing crops. 6. Tchitundo-Hulu – Namibe is considered an important archeological site in Angola and is currently under the protection of the Instituto do Patrimonio Cultural, or Cultural Patrimony Institute. One of the historical monuments of Angola, it tells the story of a bygone era