Agongointo-Zoungoudo Underground Town
Encyclopedia
The underground town of Agongointo-Zoungoudo is located approximately 9 km from Abomey
, in central Benin
. The city was discovered in 1998 by the Danish company DANIDA. It consists of a series of bunkers and other housing structures around 10m deep underground, built in an apparent effort to provide dwelling as well as protection for warriors.
Reliable information:
http://agongointo.worldarchaeology.net
, the second King of Abomey.
World Heritage Tentative List on June 19th, 1998 in the Cultural category.
It was added to the list because it reunited two criteria:
1) Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.
2) Be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history.
Abomey
When UNESCO designated the royal palaces of Abomey as a World Heritage Site in 1985 it statedFrom 1993, 50 of the 56 bas-reliefs that formerly decorated the walls of King Glèlè have been located and replaced on the rebuilt structure...
, in central Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
. The city was discovered in 1998 by the Danish company DANIDA. It consists of a series of bunkers and other housing structures around 10m deep underground, built in an apparent effort to provide dwelling as well as protection for warriors.
Reliable information:
http://agongointo.worldarchaeology.net
History
These houses appear to have been built in the 16th century under the reign of King DakodonouDakodonou
Dakodonou was the second King of Dahomey. He ruled from 1620 to 1645. In traditional Abomey stories, Dakodonou overthrew his brother, the previous King Gangnihessou, when the ruler was absent from the capital on a tour of the kingdom. Dakodonou is portrayed as a brutal and violent man...
, the second King of Abomey.
World Heritage Status
This site was added to the UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Tentative List on June 19th, 1998 in the Cultural category.
It was added to the list because it reunited two criteria:
1) Represent a masterpiece of human creative genius.
2) Be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history.