Angola Dam Construction Leads to Historic Discovery
The construction of the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric dam in Angola has led to an archaeological breakthrough: before flooding, ancient stone structures dating back to the 15th century were discovered. 117 clusters of objects were found, including burial mounds and cremation urns. The findings change perceptions of the region's settlement before the arrival of the Portuguese.
The construction of the Caculo Cabaça hydroelectric plant on the Kwanza River in Angola has led to a historic archaeological discovery. Before the area was flooded by the reservoir, archaeologists conducted extensive excavations and uncovered the oldest stone structures in central Angola: monumental platforms, wall fragments, burial mounds, and cremation features. In total, 117 clusters of ancient stone objects were identified. Radiocarbon analysis showed that the earliest burials date to the early 15th century, long before the arrival of Portuguese colonizers. This challenges established views, as local architecture was previously attributed to no earlier than the 16th century. The study of the burial landscape revealed a variety of burial positions: some individuals lay on their sides, others in a seated position with knees drawn up, which in Angolan tradition is associated with the local elite. No gold or jewelry was found in the graves; instead, stone grinders, pottery fragments, and iron metal scraps were discovered. According to anthropologists, such an assemblage may indicate a special social and ritual status for women. A sensation was the remains of a broken and burned urn with fragments of cremated human teeth and skull bones—no analogues existed in Angolan archaeology. Researchers suggest that engravings and reports by missionary Antonio Cavazzi from the 17th century may shed light on the ritual. The new data confirm hypotheses that central and south-central Africa were densely populated and had a developed culture long before the arrival of Europeans. Although part of the complex will end up at the bottom of the reservoir, similar structures have been found outside the danger zone, ensuring the continuation of excavations.