Deep within the remote Isalo Massif of southern Madagascar, a groundbreaking discovery at a site named Teniky has captivated the archaeological world. An international research team has unearthed a unique rock-cut architectural complex, an unprecedented find with no known counterparts on the island or along the East African coast. This remarkable site has ignited discussions about potential connections to ancient Zoroastrian communities and extensive historical migration and trade routes.
Series of circular rock-cut niches at Teniky, Madagascar, showcasing the unique rock-cut architecture discovered at the site.
Spearheaded by Guido Schreurs, Associate Professor at the University of Bern’s Institute of Geological Sciences, the team meticulously documented a diverse array of rock-carved features at Teniky. These include carefully constructed artificial terraces, imposing sandstone walls, distinctive niches carved directly into the cliff faces, and skillfully fashioned stone basins. Through radiocarbon analysis of charcoal fragments unearthed during excavations, the construction of these structures has been dated back to between the 10th and 12th centuries CE. This timeframe aligns with the discovery of imported ceramics originating from China and Southeast Asia, dating from the 11th to 14th centuries. This suggests that the inhabitants of Teniky actively participated in Indian Ocean trade networks during the medieval period, despite the site’s inland location over 200 kilometers from the nearest coastline.
Detailed views of the rock-cut niches at Teniky, Madagascar, highlighting the intricate craftsmanship of this ancient architectural complex.
The Teniky site’s most compelling aspect lies in the striking stylistic similarities between its rock-cut architecture and structures found far from Africa, in present-day Iran, particularly within the Fars region. Intriguingly, these Iranian rock-cut niches are linked to Zoroastrian funerary practices dating back to the first millennium CE. This remarkable parallel has led researchers to propose a fascinating, albeit preliminary, hypothesis: Teniky may have served as a necropolis erected by settlers with Zoroastrian origins.
If this intriguing hypothesis gains further validation, it would open up a wealth of questions concerning early migration patterns to Madagascar and the island’s rich cultural and religious tapestry during the medieval era. Dr. Schreurs emphasizes the critical need for continued archaeological investigation to delve deeper into these mysteries: “We need to ascertain the arrival points and timelines of these settlers on the Madagascar coast, understand their motivations for moving inland to Teniky, explore their interactions with existing island populations, and determine the reasons and timeframe for the site’s eventual abandonment.”
The research team has already refuted a previously considered theory attributing the Teniky structures to shipwrecked Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. This theory is incompatible with historical timelines, as Portuguese ships only entered the Indian Ocean after 1498. While brief visits by Portuguese mariners cannot be entirely ruled out, there is no concrete evidence to support their construction of the site. Instead, the research is now focused on exploring the compelling possibility that the creators of the Teniky rock-cut architecture brought their distinct religious and cultural traditions from beyond Madagascar, potentially from Iran or another region influenced by Zoroastrianism.
However, researchers remain open to alternative interpretations, acknowledging the possibility that the settlers’ beliefs and rituals may have evolved after their arrival in Madagascar. This evolution could have independently led to architectural forms that coincidentally resemble Zoroastrian sites in Iran. Regardless of the precise origins, the Teniky discovery holds immense significance, suggesting that Madagascar’s historical settlement was considerably more intricate and multicultural than previously understood.
Modern Madagascar’s population is known for its blended African and Asian heritage, a diversity confirmed by genetic studies. However, the archaeological record of the island’s early settlement has remained relatively limited until now. The unearthing of such an elaborate and previously unknown site in Madagascar’s interior underscores the island’s potential prominence as a significant religious and commercial center during the Middle Ages.
This pivotal discovery also highlights the urgent need for the protection and preservation of the Teniky site. Despite its location within Isalo National Park, the site has suffered from past damage and looting. Sustained research and robust protection efforts are crucial to ensure the long-term survival of this invaluable window into Madagascar’s rich and complex past.
More information: Schreurs, G., Allegro, T., Rouvinez, M., Radimilahy, C., Raharinoro, J., Fanny Sabe, N., … Szidat, S. (2024). Teniky: enigmatic architecture at an archaeological site in southern Madagascar. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, 1–44. doi:10.1080/0067270X.2024.2380619
