Agongointo-Zoungoudo Underground Town

Lore & Background

The underground town is traditionally associated with later kings of Abomey, such as King Agadja or King Ghezo, rather than with King Dakodonou, who is considered the first king of Abomey. Souterrains around the Abomey plateau have been dated to the late 17th century. Archaeologists Randsborg and Merkyte initially argued that these souterrains served solely as military installations for the Dahomeyan army, citing Fon oral history about the invasion of Dahomey by the Oyo empire, which states that 'the Dahomean army ‘disappeared’ in the face of the enemy, later to re-appear behind him.'

Reader's Guide

Since 2009, Randsborg and Merkyte have revised their theory, adding that the souterrains on the Abomey plateau played different functions, including mining, water storage, and providing military installations. Historian Monroe Cameron agrees with this revised theory. The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on June 19, 1998, in the Cultural category, because it was judged to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius and to be an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural ensemble illustrating a significant stage in human history. The underground town remains a notable archaeological and historical site in Benin, reflecting the ingenuity and defensive strategies of the Dahomeyan kingdom.

Did You Know?

• The underground town was discovered in 1998 with support from the Danish government development agency DANIDA.
• It consists of bunkers and housing structures around 10 meters deep.
• The site is traditionally associated with later kings such as King Agadja or King Ghezo, not with King Dakodonou.
• Archaeologists initially argued it was solely for military use.