Contemporary African Architects Revive Ancient Earth Construction Techniques

The Western Deffufa, a 20-meter-tall mud brick structure near Kerma, Sudan, stands as one of the world's oldest earth buildings, dating back four millennia. Despite its historical significance and the continuous use of earth as a building material across Africa, contemporary architectural discourse has largely overlooked it. Architects on the continent are now bringing renewed attention to these indigenous techniques. In Burkina Faso, the painted houses of Tiébélé showcase hand-applied earth surfaces adorned with elaborate patterns. Libya's town of Ghadames features sophisticated constructions combining earth, lime, and palm trunks, creating interconnected structures with narrow streets and walkable rooftops. Mali's Great Mosque of Djenné, the largest adobe building globally, demonstrates practical adaptations with timber projections serving as permanent scaffolding for annual community replastering, while its thick walls and roof vent system regulate interior temperatures.