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ANTSOHERIBORY : a counter antalaotra from Northwestern Madagascar
(Source : Pierre cylinder and Adrien mile. Notes preliminary excavations and surveys in July-August 1966. Bulletin of the Malagasy Academy – Volume XLIV-II)

Brief history of the counter and the research :

At the beginning of the seventeenth century, Dutch, English, French continue to trade in the Bay of Boina (mentions by Thornton, Drury, etc.) but it knows the coming of hackers in particular, Williams and Plantain. En 1723, Hamilton says that the English are afraid to make the Treaty, because of the presence of these.

En 1726, the Dutch Valentyn notes the end of Dutch counter of the old Masselage to replicate the basis of Treaty on the Bay of the Betsiboka.

The abandonment of the Boina Bay Mall will be done gradually as the sakalava dynasty moved the capital of Tongay in Marovoay. From 1750, the Foundation, then the development of Majunga will attract the Antalaotra of Boina Bay which will be then deserted.

In the nineteenth century, Owen and Bateler mention a ruin on the island of Makamby (1) and in 1845, Guillain briefly traces the history of the Antalaotra establishments in Madagascar where the Boeny is an important (2).

At the end of the 19th century, Jully visit the mosque (site 1) and the graves of the site 6 or he noted an element of dome still in place.

The ruins of Antsoheribory had suffer vandalism of visitors, Marine and other, who robbed the tombs of all the bowls and dishes which decorated them.

En 1954, L. Calf is struck by the importance of the ruins and the accumulations of pottery. He attached this property to the Rasikajy civilization known by the excavations of Vohémar. Hébert also visited the island on which he gave us valuable practical information.

During the months of July and August 1966, the team of the Centre of archaeology, P. Cylinder, A. Thousand and E. Ramilisonina, has conducted investigations including the General mapping of the island, the comprehensive survey of the movements and preliminary surveys (excavations at the mosque and a box Fund). The vegetation covering the sites has been cut beforehand and each time it has been possible, the trunks and lianas most threatening to the masonry were severed.

In addition to other sites have been located in the Bay :
– an Islamic cemetery whose graves are marked by small slabs erected on the head and the feet of the deceased. This cemetery occupies a flat sandy site in the South of the Bay of Antsoherindava.
– located in the forest of Ambondro, to the West of Kingany contains graves to wings. It marks perhaps the oldest site.
– a site known only according to Boteler, Owen and Guillain.
– Boeny - Aranta shows traces of habitats among which we found on the surface of beads and pottery of the 17th century.
– a localized site a little north of the current Islamic cemetery, but in the Interior of the land. He provided local pottery still undated.
– the cemetery of the Kajemby still used today.
– Boeny - Ampasy is, no doubt, the newest as remains discovered so far are not earlier in the 19th century.

The East Bay has been prospected.

(1) Owen, W F. Narrative of travels to explore teas shores of Africa, Arabia and Madagascar , 2 flights. Longres, 1833 and Boteler, Th. Narrative of a voyage of discovery to Africa and Arabia in performed His Majesty'shipsy 'Leven and from Baker. 1821 under the Command of Capt. Owen, London, 1835
(2) Documents on the history, Geography and trade in the western part of Madagascar, Paris, Royal printing, 1854.