The MedAfriCarbon Radiocarbon Database and Web Application. Archaeological Dynamics in Mediterranean Africa, ca. 9600–700 BC

Abstract

The MedAfriCarbon radiocarbon database and its accompanying web application are outcomes of the MedAfrica project — 'Archaeological deep history and dynamics of Mediterranean Africa, ca. 9600–700 BC'. The dataset presented here in Version 1.0 of the database includes 1587 archaeological 14C dates from 368 sites in Mediterranean Africa. The database is unusual because the majority of the dates within it have been annotated with further cultural and environmental variables, notably the presence/absence of different domestic/wild species and particular material culture traits. MedAfriCarbon also includes an publicly-accessible web application that facilitates data exploration and informal analysis. Funding statement: The Leverhulme Trust provided the core funding for the 'Archaeological deep history and dynamics of Mediterranean Africa, ca. 9600–700 BC (MedAfrica)' Research Project (RPG-2016-261). Additional financial support for the project came from the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and IPOCAN, MIUR project, via ISMEO (the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies). ISMEO financially covered the publication costs of this open-access paper.

Keywords

• radiocarbon dates
• mediterranean africa
• holocene
• algeria
• egypt
• libya
• morocco
• tunisia