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Palaeoecological evidence from neolithic fireplaces in the Sahara

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Abstract

Circular concentrations of stone fragments or pebbles occur widely in the Sahara, mostly on the great alluvial plains or along the foot of the escarpments. They are interpreted as fireplaces, but associated archaeological remains are usually scarce. More than 50 radiocarbon dates indicated that these features are of neolithic age, ranging fromca 9000 toca 3500 bp, with a maximum occurrence at 5800–5000 bp. In some regions they are extremely rare, elsewhere their density may exceed 30 per square kilometre. There are several reasons for attributing these fireplaces to neolithic cattle herders.

Résumé

Il y a de nombreuses concentrations circulaires de fragments de pierre ou de galets au Sahara; ils se trouvent surtout dans les grandes plaines alluviales, ou le long du pied des escarpements. On les interprète comme des foyers, mais d'habitude on n'y trouve que très peu de restes archéologiques qui y sont associés. Plus de 50 datations au radiocarbone ont indiqué que ces sites datent du Néolithique, s'échelonnant deca 9000 àca 3500 bp, avec une forte concentration entre 5800 et 5000 bp. Dans certaines régions ces sites sont très rares, tandis qu'ailleurs leur densité peut être supérieure à 30 par kilomètre carré. Pour plusieurs raisons on attribue ces foyers à des pasteurs des boeufs du Néolithique.

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Gabriel, B. Palaeoecological evidence from neolithic fireplaces in the Sahara. Afr Archaeol Rev 5, 93–103 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01117085

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