Editing History of Burkina Faso (section)

==Ancient and medieval history==
[[Ferrous metallurgy|Iron production]] occurred in regions near [[Douroula]] at least as far back as the 8th century BCE and was widely practiced across the region by the 5th century BCE.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1602 |title = Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso |website = UNESCO World Heritage List |publisher = UNESCO |access-date = 21 March 2021}}</ref> Furnaces, mines, and surrounding dwellings dating from this time period are found across the country.

Recent archeological discoveries at [[Bura archaeological site|Bura]] in southwest [[Niger]] and in adjacent southwest [[Burkina Faso]] have documented the existence of the [[Iron Age|iron-age]] [[Bura culture]] from the 3rd century to the 13th century. The Bura-Asinda system of settlements apparently covered the lower [[Niger River]] valley, including the [[Boura, Boulgou|Boura]] region of Burkina Faso. Further research is needed to understand the role this early culture played in the [[ancient]] and [[medieval]] [[history of West Africa]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=LaGamma|first=Alisa|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/1150817612|title=Sahel : art and empires on the shores of the Sahara|year=2020|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |isbn=978-1-58839-687-7|oclc=1150817612}}</ref>

[[Ruins of Loropéni|Loropéni]] is an ancient stone ruin which was linked to the gold trade between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is a [[World Heritage Site]].

From medieval times until the end of the 19th century, the central region of present-day Burkina Faso was ruled by the [[Mossi people]], descendants of warriors of the [[Dagomba people|Dagomba]] people of present-day [[Ghana]], who mixed with [[Mandé peoples|Mandé]] and other local peoples in the 11th century. During this time the [[Mossi Kingdoms]] successfully defended their territory, religious beliefs and social structure against forcible attempts at conquest and conversion by their [[Muslim]] neighbors to the northwest.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNAWAAAAYAAJ&q=upper+volta |title=Background Notes |date=1979 |publisher=Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of Public Communications |language=en |chapter=Upper Volta}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>