Excavations at Jenné-Jeno, Hambarketolo, and Kaniana (Inland Niger Delta, Mali) :: the 1981 season

University of California Press20 • Published In 1994 • Pages: xxvi, 605

By: McIntosh, Susan Keech, McIntosh, Roderick J., Brill, Robert H., MacDonald, Kevin C., Van Neer, Wim.

Abstract
The Inland Niger Delta (IND) site of Jenné-jeno is one of the longest Iron Age sequences in west Africa (250 B.C.-1400 A.D.), reaching its peak settlement density in 900 A.D. The archaeologists carried out a site survey in 1977 and returned in 1980 to do nine excavations, one each in Hambarketolo and Kaniana, and seven in Jenné-jeno. They uncovered brick walls, pottery, metal artifacts, and burials. They identified four settlement phases: Phase I (250 B.C.-50 A.D.), Phase II (A.D. 50-400), Phase III (A.D. 400-900), and Phase IV (A.D. 900-1400) and classified three ceramic assemblages: Fineware Phase (associated with Phases I/II), Painted Ware Phase (Phase III), and Fine Channeled and Impressed Ware Phase (Phase IV). Although there is evidence of settlement hierarchy and long-distance trade, the data does not indicate any social stratification. The subsistence pattern of hunting, fishing, and the domestication of animals and plants stayed uniform throughout the period. There is evidence of smithing but not smelting.
Subjects
Topography and geology
Processing of basic materials
Settlement patterns
Archaeological measures, techniques, and analyses
tradition
West African Iron Age
HRAF PubDate
2002
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Western Africa
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Ian Skoggard;2001
Field Date
1980-1981
Coverage Date
2250-1100 BP (250 B.C.-900 A.D.)
Coverage Place
Inland Niger Delta, Mali
Notes
edited by Susan Keech McIntosh
Background to the 1981 research / Susan Keech McIntosh and Roderick J. McIntosh -- Stratigraphy, features and chronology / Roderick J. McIntosh and Susan Keech McIntosh -- Pottery / Susan Keech McIntosh -- Other ceramic and fired clay artifacts / Susan Keech McIntosh -- Stone, glass and bone / Susan Keech McIntosh -- Chemical analyses of some glasses from Jenné-jeno -- Metals / Susan Keech McIntosh -- Analysis of the mammalian, avian, and reptilian remains / Kevin C. MacDonald -- Analysis of foish remains / Wim Van Neer -- Paleobotanical and human osteological remains / Susan Keech McIntosh -- Conclusion / Susan Keech McIntosh
Includes bibliographical references (p. 579-605)
LCCN
94035017
LCSH
Iron Age--Africa