Book

The Neolithic period in the Sudan: c. 6000-2500 B.C.

B. A. R.Oxford, England • Published In 1982 • Pages: xiv, 239

By: Mohammed-Ali, Abbas S..

Abstract
The author describes the archaeology of Neolithic Sudan (6000 B.C.-2500 B.C.), looking at the archaeological assemblages and evidence from Wadi Hawar in the desert of western Sudan, Khartoum Province, and Sudanese Nubia. In particular Mohammed-Ali looks at environmental conditions, lithic raw materials, lithic technology and tool typology, ceramics, and subsistence and settlement patterns. The climatic conditions from the end of the Pleistocene to the 3rd millenium are also inspected. By examining the archaeological assemblages in Khartoum Province and Sudanese Nubia that came before the Neolithic the author determines these assemblages are local developments and that they represent a continuous cultural tradition with continuous occupation. An examination of cultural traits from across northern Africa show Khartoum Province and Sudanese Nubia share only a few traits with each other. Most shared traits are between the Nile Valley and Eastern and Central Sahara (where cattle domestication and pottery appeared earlier than in the Middle Nile Valley) rather than up and down the Nile Valley. Development of Sorghum and Pennisetum cultivation in the eastern Sahel seems to have occurred around the 5th to 4th millenium. Only ovi-caprid domestication may have diffused along the Nile from South West Asia to the interior of Africa.
Subjects
Identification
Reviews and critiques
Topography and geology
Comparative evidence
Cultural participation
Ceramic technology
Lithic industries
General tools
Visual arts
Chronologies and culture sequences
tradition
Khartoum Neolithic
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Northern Africa
Document Type
Book
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 1998
Field Date
1973-1976
Coverage Date
8000 BP-2500 BP (6000 B.C.-2500 B.C.)
Coverage Place
Sudan
Notes
A. Mohammed-Ali
Includes bibliographical references (p. 222-239)
LCSH
Neolithic period--Sudan