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A coastal occupation in BĂ©nin, West Africa: Earthenwares and salt at the time of Atlantic entanglement.
- Source :
-
Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology . Apr-Jun2024, Vol. 19 Issue 2, p249-268. 20p. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- The archaeology of the immediate coastline of West Africa remains surprisingly little understood, and what research has been undertaken has often focused on questions relating to sea-based interactions and the precolonial polities lying slightly inland. This paper reports the results of excavations on Ohlinhoué, a small lagoonal island in the western Republic of Bénin. A locally manufactured ceramic assemblage was recovered, together with a small suite of artifacts, including glass, metal, shell, and smoking pipes. These archaeological data provide insights into a small-scale, likely fishing and salt-producing community in this area between sea and river. As such, they provide an alternative to historical readings relating to well-known precolonial polities and trade entrepôts that feed popular historical narratives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15564894
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 176763100
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/15564894.2022.2084654