essay

Before the Empire of Ghana: pastoralism and the origins of cultural complexity in the Sahel

transformations in africa : essays on africa's later pastLondonPublished In 1998 • Pages: 71-103

By: MacDonald, Kevin C..

Abstract
This exploration of the hypothesis that social complexity arose among various mobile pastoralists in northern Africa during the Neolithic concentrates on acquisition of cattle, polished stone prestige objects and burial monuments. It includes a summary of the author’s findings at the Zampia Tumulus Field in the Gourma region of Mali.
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Comparative evidence
Pastoral activities
Ornament
Architecture
General tools
Status, role, and prestige
Community heads
Burial practices and funerals
Sacred objects and places
tradition
West African Neolithic
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2021
Field Date
1993
Coverage Date
7000-1500 BP
Coverage Place
northern Africa
Notes
K. C. MacDonald
Includes bibliographical references
LCCN
97027703
LCSH
West African Neolithic