Publications
The diversity of plant resources exploited in the palaces of Agbomè (kingdom of Danxomè/Dahomey), Bénin: the contribution of starch grain analysis from the palatial complex of Zasa (eighteenth to twentieth centuries AD)
Starch grain analysis from the Zasa palatial complex in Agbomè, Bénin, reveals that cereals, legumes, and tubers formed a significant part of the diet in the Danxomè kingdom (18th–20th centuries AD), alongside non-local resources like maize and wheat. This study provides the first detailed archaeobotanical evidence of plant resource exploitation in royal palaces, complementing existing knowledge on animal consumption. By analyzing stone tools and ceramics, researchers identified a diverse range of plants used for food and potential medical practices. Cross-referencing with oral and written sources further enriched the interpretation, offering insights into dietary habits, craft production, and cultural practices during this pivotal period in West African history.
Conclusion. Dahomey’s Royal Architecture
The Royal Palace of Dahomey in Abomey serves as a enduring symbol of cultural identity and historical continuity, reinforcing the significance of pre-colonial history in post-colonial society. This study highlights how bas-relief sculptures depicting royal themes are integrated into public spaces like market facades, hotel courtyards, and homes, affirming the palace's role as a constant structure that transcends colonial rule. The research examines the palace's evolution through periods of construction, subjugation, and reclamation, emphasizing its representation of history, religion, and culture. By analyzing these elements, the study underscores the palace's capacity to strengthen community bonds and preserve cultural heritage.
Dahomey’s Royal Architecture
The Royal Palace of Abomey, spanning over 108 acres and encircled by a two-mile wall, serves as a historic record demonstrating how architecture can be manipulated to serve political, religious, or cultural agendas across nearly four centuries. Originally destroyed in 1892 to prevent capture by French colonial forces, portions of the palace were later restored for colonial administration before being transformed into a museum in 1945 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The study documents the palace's physical transformations, revealing its enduring religious significance despite shifting purposes—from royal residence to colonial outpost to cultural institution. This research highlights the intersection of architecture, history, and identity in West Africa, offering insights into post-colonial studies, religious practices, and the preservation of heritage.
Like a Jar with Many Holes
The Royal Palaces of Abomey serve as a tangible architectural record of Dahomey's tumultuous 18th and 19th centuries, reflecting political, social, and economic transformations. The study reveals how the palace's physical features—including bas-relief sculptures and structural expansions—mirror the reigns of kings Tegbesu, Kpengla, Agonglo, Adandozan, Guezo, and Glele. Notably, the palace's evolution documents periods of conflict, innovation in artistry (e.g., Agonglo's contributions to bas-reliefs), and later stability under Guezo and Glele, which saw economic growth and international engagement. By analyzing oral and written histories alongside architectural elements, the research demonstrates how the palace encapsulates Dahomey's complex legacy, from erasures of despised rulers like Adandozan to expansions symbolizing renewed prosperity.
Ngoyo Meets Dahomey
The silver kimpaba, originally from Cabinda but later adopted by the Kingdom of Dahomey, symbolized power and prestige among Fon artists. This study reveals how the item was integrated into Dahomey's royal palaces through a fusion of local and foreign craftsmanship, becoming an emblem of authority until its looting by French troops in the late 19th century. The research compares the kimpaba to other silver artifacts from Abomey, analyzing its cultural significance and legacy, including its influence on European-designed gifts to local rulers during colonial expansion. By examining material culture and historical records, the study highlights the kimpaba's role in reflecting societal changes along the Loango coast.
Nothing Can Force the Buffalo to Take off His Tunic
The Royal Palaces of Abomey serve as a living symbol of post-colonial identity, integrating spiritual practices with architectural and urban space. Research highlights how royal Vodun worship ceremonies—including daily libations at palace tombs, large annual tributes to pre-colonial kings, and the rare Gandaxi ritual—reinforce cultural continuity. Key to this are temples linked to the tohosu, spiritually empowered descendants of deformed royalty, and the dadassi, female royal guardians who oversee sacred altars. These elements collectively facilitate spiritual renewal while preserving Dahomey’s pre-colonial heritage amid modern contexts.
The Fish That Escaped the Net
A study of the Royal Palaces of Abomey reveals that the architectural design and spatial organization of the palace complex were deeply influenced by cultural, political, and supernatural factors during the reigns of King Huegbadja (c. 1645–1685), King Akaba (1685–1708), Regent Hangbe (1708–1711), and King Agadja (1711–1740). The research argues that the palace's structures encoded cultural standards, which were both shaped by and used to manipulate the kingdom's political dynamics. These standards drew from supernatural origins of the Dahomean dynasty, existing Guedevian architectural forms, gendered space, and the immediate history of the ruling dynasty. This analysis provides insight into how architecture served as a tool for political consolidation and expansion during this pivotal period in Dahomey's pre-colonial history.
The Shark and the Egg
The Royal Palaces of Abomey, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1985, have undergone significant transformations since Benin's post-colonial independence in 1960. This study reveals how these palaces transitioned from colonial administrative sites to symbols of Dahomean cultural identity and pride. It highlights the spiritual reclamation of architecture, including the relocation of royal tombs within the palace, which preserved religious traditions while asserting a distinct non-European narrative. The research also examines the complexities of restoration efforts, often led by foreign entities, which exposed differing preservation priorities rooted in cultural perspectives. Through this analysis, the study explores the metaphorical layers of the palaces as 'architectural documents,' delving into themes of creolization and the evolution of their narratives in the post-colonial era.
Old Sacred Trees as Memories of the Cultural Landscapes of Southern Benin (West Africa)
A study of large old trees (LOTs) in southern Benin revealed their critical role as living cultural heritage, providing ecosystem services and linking human and spiritual domains. Researchers identified 270 LOT individuals across 14 species, with sacred forests and royal palaces—protected by traditional vetoes—hosting the highest diversity. Adansonia digitata dominated (70 individuals), followed by Milicia excelsa and Ceiba pentandra. Analysis showed lower biodiversity in historical districts like Ketou compared to Lokossa and Abomey. Key threats included urbanization (35%), timber trade (18%), and policies from Benin's 1972 Marxist–Leninist revolution (11%). The research underscores the need for integrated strategies to align cultural values with ecological conservation, ensuring LOTs' survival as symbols of West African heritage.
The vanishing paths of African artefacts: Mapping the Parisian auction market for "primitive" objects in the interwar period
African artifacts, particularly those from the Royal Palaces of Abomey, held significant value during the 1930s financial crisis despite being generally undervalued in the interwar Parisian auction market. This study reconstructs the commercial paths of these objects by analyzing auction records and catalogues from Hôtel Drouot, identifying key actors and comparing prices with other 'primitive' artifacts. The research highlights how European collector preferences influenced market dynamics, with African items often fetching lower hammer prices—except for Abomey's royal objects, which served as stable investments.
Remote Assessment of Cultural Heritage Environments with Wireless Sensor Array Networks
A novel dosimetric system leveraging piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) technology demonstrates significant potential for remote environmental monitoring of cultural heritage sites. This system, featuring PQCs coated with metals (Fe, Cu, Ni, Sn), alongside temperature and humidity sensors, enables real-time data visualization via low-power radio and GPRS gateways while maintaining minimal energy consumption. Field deployments at Apsley House in London and the Royal Palaces of Abomey in Benin validated its effectiveness, showcasing high transmission success rates and accurate environmental measurements. The approach addresses logistical and cost challenges associated with traditional monitoring methods, offering a scalable solution for heritage managers to assess the holistic impact of environmental factors on cultural materials.
The Royal Palace of Dahomey
The Royal Palace of Dahomey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Abomey, Benin, has undergone significant transformations during French colonial and post-colonial periods. This study reveals its multifaceted role as a site for religious ceremonies, political struggle, and a symbol of non-European identity. The research documents the physical changes to the palace complex in relation to its evolving functions while critically examining the ethical implications of external political influences. It also explores how the palace and royal history continue to shape contemporary identity and domestic architecture in Benin.
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