Afrique Archéologie Arts (Oct 2005)
Technologie céramique et Histoire à Koumbi Saleh : premiers résultats, premiers enjeux
Abstract
Archaeological research at Koumbi Saleh shed light on several successive occupations, spanning from the 8th to the 15th centuries. The associated material, particularly ceramic assemblages, unexpectedly suggests cultural stability and homogeneity. However, technological analysis is revealing important variability in ceramic manufacturing techniques. This study, by showing major discontinuities, is leading to a new interpretation of the former typological analysis. Changes in ceramic industries, occurring at a time period of global evolution, could be related to broader historical processes, of social, economic and political origin.
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