Lothagam North Pillar Site, Prehistoric necropolis near Lake Turkana, Kenya.
Lothagam North Pillar Site is a prehistoric necropolis near Lake Turkana featuring volcanic ridges with a circular platform supported by three pillars, alongside cairns and stone circles. Excavations have uncovered remains of at least 44 individuals of various ages arranged in close formations within this cemetery.
The site was built between 3000 and 2300 BCE when Lake Turkana receded and early herders settled in the region. This cemetery represents multiple generations of the earliest pastoral communities in eastern Africa and their burial practices.
The burials held personal ornaments such as ostrich eggshell beads, ivory rings, and pendants that show how these early pastoral communities honored their dead. Such objects were placed with people of various ages and suggest the importance of adornment in their everyday lives.
The site lies in a remote area and visits require prior arrangement with local archaeological authorities along with preparation for extreme heat and limited shade. The best conditions for a visit occur during cooler months when visibility is at its best.
The three pillars supporting the circular platform are remarkable and suggest specialized building knowledge among these early herding communities, as such structures are rare for this period. This architectural feature distinctly sets the site apart from other cemeteries of the same era.
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