The emergence of pottery in Africa during the tenth millennium cal BC: new evidence from Ounjougou (Mali)

Huysecom, E.; Rasse, M.; Lespez, L.; Neumann, K.; Fahmy, A.; Ballouche, A.; Ozainne, S.; Maggetti, Marino; Tribolo, Ch.; Soriano, S.

doi:10.1017/S0003598X00099245

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Journal article

The emergence of pottery in Africa during the tenth millennium cal BC: new evidence from Ounjougou (Mali)

DOKPE

Huysecom, E. Department of Anthropology and Ecology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Rasse, M. Lab. Ledra, CNRS-UMR, University of Rouen, France - lab. AnTET – Arscan UMR, University of Paris-X, France - Lab. AnTET – Arscan, University of Paris-X, Nanterre, France
Lespez, L. Lab. Geophen-LETG-UMR, University of Caen-Basse Normandie, France
Neumann, K. Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Fahmy, A. Department of Botany, University of Helwan, Cairo, Egypt
Ballouche, A. Lab. Environmental Studies on Anthropogenic Systems, University of Angers, France
Ozainne, S. Department of Anthropology and Ecology, University of Geneva, Switzerland
Maggetti, Marino Department of Geosciences, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Tribolo, Ch. CRP2A, UMR 5060, University of Bordeaux, France
Soriano, S. Lab. AnTET – Arscan, University of Paris-X, Nanterre, France

2009

Published in:

Antiquity. - 2009, vol. 83, no. 322, p. 905-917

English New excavations in ravines at Ounjougou in Mali have brought to light a lithic and ceramic assemblage that dates from before 9400 cal BC. The authors show that this first use of pottery coincides with a warm wet period in the Sahara. As in East Asia, where very early ceramics are also known, the pottery and small bifacial arrowheads were the components of a new subsistence strategy exploiting an ecology associated with abundant wild grasses. In Africa, however, the seeds were probably boiled (then as now) rather than made into bread.

Faculty

Faculté des sciences et de médecine

Department

Département de Géosciences

Language