View source for Tomb of Askia

{{Infobox World Heritage Site
| WHS         = Tomb of Askia
| Image       = [[Image:Askia.jpg|300px|Tomb of Askia]]
| State Party = [[Mali]]
| Type        = Cultural
| Criteria    = ii, iii, iv
| ID          = 1139
| Region      = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Africa|Africa]]
| Year        = 2004
| Session     = 28th
| Link        = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1139
}}

The '''Tomb of Askia''', in [[Gao]], [[Mali]], is believed to be the burial place of [[Askia Mohammad I]], one of the [[Songhai Empire]]'s most prolific [[emperors]]. It was built at the end of the fifteenth century and is designated as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]].

[[UNESCO]] describes the tomb as a fine example of the monumental mud-building traditions of the West African [[Sahel]].  The complex includes the [[pyramid]]al tomb, two [[mosque]]s, a [[cemetery]] and an assembly ground.  At 17 metres in height it is the largest pre-[[Colonialism|colonial]] [[architecture|architectural]] monument in the region.  It is the first example of an [[Islam]]ic architectural style that later spread throughout the region.

Relatively recent modifications to the site have included the expansion of the mosque buildings in the 1960s and mid-1970s, and the 1999 construction of a wall around the site. It has also been regularly replastered throughout its history, a process essential to the maintenance and repair of mud structures. Electricity was added in the early 2000s, allowing for ceiling fans, lights and a loud speaker mounted on top.

Askia is in regular use as a mosque and a publicly owned cultural centre for the city of [[Gao]].  The site and a buffer area around it are protected by both national and local laws.

== History ==

Askia Mohammed was the first Askia emperor and greatly expanded the [[Songhai Empire]]. As a reverent Muslim, he felt obligated to make his [[Hajj|pilgrimage to Mecca]], which he returned from in 1495. He brought back with him the materials to make his tomb; all of the mud and wood came from [[Mecca]]. The caravan is said to have consisted of "thousands of camels." It was structured as a house, with several rooms and passageways and was sealed when Askia Mohammed died.

Askia Mohammed is the only one buried inside the tomb itself, but several other Askias are buried in the courtyard.

== External links ==
*[http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1139 World Heritage Website]
*[http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/1139.pdf UNESCO Evaluation of Askia] (in English and French)

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{{Commons category|Tomb of Askia}}

[[Category:1490s architecture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Mali]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Mali]]
[[Category:African architecture]]
[[Category:Gao Region]]

[[da:Askias grav]]
[[de:Grabmal von Askia]]
[[es:Tumba de los Askia]]
[[eo:Tombo de Askia]]
[[eu:Askiaren hilobia]]
[[fr:Tombeau des Askia]]
[[hi:अस्कीया की समाधी]]
[[hr:Askijeva grobnica]]
[[it:Tomba di Askia]]
[[he:קבר אסקיה]]
[[ka:ასკიას საფლავი]]
[[ml:അസ്കിയ കുടീരം]]
[[xmf:ასკიაშ საფულე]]
[[nl:Tombe van Askia]]
[[ja:アスキアの墓]]
[[no:Askias grav]]
[[pl:Grobowiec Askii]]
[[pt:Túmulo de Askia]]
[[ru:Могила Аскиа]]
[[sh:Askijin grob]]
[[fi:Askian hauta]]
[[sv:Askias grav]]
[[tr:Askia]]
[[zh:阿斯基亚陵]]