essay
Current directions in west African prehistory
Annual review of anthropology • 12 • Published In 1981 • Pages: 215-258
By: McIntosh, Susan Keech, McIntosh, Roderick J..
Abstract
This is a review article on west African prehistory. west Africa is defined as the region south of the Tropic of Cancer and west of the Cameroon highlands. The article begins with a discussion of the palaeoclimate of the region, revealing a series of dry and wet epochs, which influenced migration patterns. The McIntoshes then review the Stone Age chronology and industries. There is no evidence of plant domestication in the region before 2000 B.C. Plant domestication was widespread and varied reflecting local experimentation. The earliest evidence of iron working is from the Nok sites in central Nigeria (600 -100 B.C.) According to the authors iron working was most likely introduced from North Africa. Iron agricultural tools opened up new lands to tillage. The authors discuss pottery styles, smelting practices, burials, and trade, from sites in Nigeria, Senegal, Niger, and Mali. For other reviews of literature on origns and technology see documents nos. 8, 11, 15, and 16.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2002
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2001
- Field Date
- not specified
- Coverage Date
- 200,000-1000 BP
- Coverage Place
- not specified
- Notes
- S. K. McIntosh and R. J. McIntosh
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 250-258)
- LCCN
- 72082136
- LCSH
- Iron Age--Africa