عنوان

EXCAVATIONS AT WALALDÉ:

Number

LA113667

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

EXCAVATIONS AT WALALDÉ:

General Material Designation

[Article]

Other Title Information

NEW LIGHT ON THE SETTLEMENT OF THE MIDDLE SENEGAL VALLEY BY IRON-USING PEOPLES

First Statement of Responsibility

Alioune Deme, Susan Keech McIntosh, Alioune Deme, et al.

Place of Publication, Distribution, etc.

Leiden

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Brill

Text of Note

Excavation of the five hectare site of Walaldé revealed an occupation by iron-using agropastoralists that began [800-550] cal BC, and continued until [400-200] cal BC. The earliest occupation phase appears to document a period of transitional iron use, with some worked stone in evidence. Smelting and forging slags and tuyeres are present in considerable quantities in the later phase. Copper with the distinctive chemical signature of the Akjoujt mines in Mauritania was also present after 550 cal BC, attesting to trade and interaction over long distances. Other important aspects of the Walaldé sequence include ceramic materials and a series of red ochre burials. Possible cultural affinities with shell midden sites in the Senegal Delta, surface material from the Lac Rkiz region, and pastoralist sites of the 'Boudhida Culture' around Nouakchott are discussed. The article concludes with a consideration of Walaldé's significance to the debate over the origins of iron metallurgy in West Africa. Excavation of the five hectare site of Walaldé revealed an occupation by iron-using agropastoralists that began [800-550] cal BC, and continued until [400-200] cal BC. The earliest occupation phase appears to document a period of transitional iron use, with some worked stone in evidence. Smelting and forging slags and tuyeres are present in considerable quantities in the later phase. Copper with the distinctive chemical signature of the Akjoujt mines in Mauritania was also present after 550 cal BC, attesting to trade and interaction over long distances. Other important aspects of the Walaldé sequence include ceramic materials and a series of red ochre burials. Possible cultural affinities with shell midden sites in the Senegal Delta, surface material from the Lac Rkiz region, and pastoralist sites of the 'Boudhida Culture' around Nouakchott are discussed. The article concludes with a consideration of Walaldé's significance to the debate over the origins of iron metallurgy in West Africa.

Date of Publication

2006

Physical description

317-347

Title

Journal of African Archaeology

Volume Number

4/2

International Standard Serial Number

2191-5784

Subject Term

agropastoralists

Subject Term

copper

Subject Term

Early Iron Age

Subject Term

red ochre burial

Subject Term

transition to iron

Alioune Deme

Susan Keech McIntosh

Call Number

10.3213/1612-1651-10078

Electronic name

p

[Article]

275578

a

Y