Fossés, enceintes et peste noire en Afrique de l’Ouest forestière (500-1500 AD)

Abstract

The history of forested West Africa before the 15th century remain poorly understood. In spite of major archaeological discoveries in the 20th century, the region never aroused the same level of interest from the scientific community than Sahara and Sahel did, especially in terms of the study of processes of urbanization. Yet, from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, complex systems of earthworks attest of the rise of medieval networks of entrenched urban centers and territories. The study of the chronology, expansion, orga­nization and abandonment of these earthworks, which probably fulfilled a variety of functions, has the potential to radically change our perception of regional long-term history. The article also suggests that earthworks were massively abandoned in the 14th century, possibly as a result of the global plague pandemic (Black Death).

Keywords

• medieval archaeology
• urbanization
• linear earthworks
• black death
• societal collapse