Koumbi Saleh, or Kumbi Saleh, is Mauritania's most famous archaeological site. The city used to be the capital of the medieval Ghana Empire. Excavations started in 1913 and areas uncovered so far (including a large mosque), are possible evidence to support the idea that this town used to be one of the world's largest cities in that time. Excavations have been in a slow pace because of a lack of funds since the 1980's.
Excavations have unearthed numerous stone houses and a congregational mosque. Radiocarbon dating evidence shows that the ruined town was inhabited between the 11th and 14th centuries.
The ruins of Koumbi Saleh are 890 km southeast of Nouakchott and the best ways to get there are by road from Nouakchott, or by air to 'Ayoûn el 'Atroûs, 200 km northwest of Koumbi Saleh.
Koumbi Saleh