The archaeological site of Antongona is located in the Imamo Region of Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

, roughly 36 km west of Antananarivo

Antananarivo

Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....

 and 6 km north of Imerintsiatosika.

Site Description

Antongona consists of two main groups of archaeological sites dating from between the 16th and 18th Centuries AD, spaced roughly 300 m apart. Situated on natural rock formations, stone walls and doorways augmented the inherent defensive qualities of the rock formations constructed upon. From the center of the structure, a full 360° view was obtained of the surrounding landscape, further exemplifying the defensive quality of the sites.

World Heritage Status

This site was added to the Tentative List of UNESCO

UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...

 World Heritage Sites in Madagascar on November 14, 1997 in the Cultural category.