Jörg Linstädter

Rapid coastal subsidence in the central Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta (Bangladesh) since the 17th century deduced from submerged salt-producing kilns

The densely populated, low-lying Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta is highly vulnerable to global sea-level rise. In order to estimate the rate of subsidence of the delta, we examined submerged salt-producing kiln sites in the coastal Sundarbans (a huge UNESCO-protected mangrove forest). These kilns were built just above the winterly spring high-tide level of the time, but their bases are currently located ∼155 cm below the corresponding modern level. According to optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, the kilns were last fired ∼300 yr ago, and salt production was terminated by a catastrophic event that affected the kiln sites at different levels and locations. 14 C ages of charcoal at the kilns’ bases and associated mangrove stump horizons support the OSL dates. Based on the elevations and ages, the 300 yr average rate of sinking of the outer delta is 5.2 ± 1.2 mm/yr, which includes 0.8 mm/yr of eustatic sea-level rise. With the expectation of further acceleration of sea-level rise, the already-present problematic situation will be aggravated, and only prudent control of sediment accretion will keep southern Bangladesh above sea level.

Holocene environmental change and human impact in NE Morocco: Palaeobotanical evidence from Ifri Oudadane

The littoral site of Ifri Oudadane is one of the most important recently excavated sites in the Mediterranean Maghreb. The shelter presents Epipalaeolithic and Neolithic layers and therefore offers the possibility to investigate the Neolithic transition in the region. Besides introducing the archaeological context, this paper focuses on palaeobotanical data in order to reconstruct Holocene environmental change and human use of plant resources for the period c. 11 to 5.7 ka cal. BP. Results show intense landscape transformations resulting from anthropic and climatic factors. First human occupations start at the beginning of the Holocene with favourable conditions in this otherwise harsh semi-arid stretch of land. A wooded environment with evergreen sclerophyllous oaks and riparian forests is documented and exploited by hunter-gatherers. From c. 7.6 ka cal. BP farming activities are well attested together with significant human impact, herding pressure and a progressive decline of arboreal components. After 6.6 ka cal. BP conditions become less favourable and markers for aridity increase. Riparian taxa disappear (Alnus) or decrease (Fraxinus, Populus, Salix); shrubs (Tamarix) and grasses (Artemisia) increase with a degradation of forest into shrubland (macchia). During 6.6 and 6.0 ka cal. BP there is a general occupation gap in arid and semi-arid Morocco and evidence for that change is also found in the alluvial deposits of the Moulouya, NE Morocco. Indicators for food production decrease at the same time and the site is abandoned during the first half of the 6th millennium cal. BP.

The early Neolithic pottery of Ifri Oudadane, NE Morocco: qualitative and quantitative evidence

This paper presents the Early and Late Neolithic pottery of Ifri Oudadane, a littoral shelter in Northeast Morocco containing both Epipalaeolithic as well as Neolithic deposits. The transition is indicated by the appearance of domesticated plant and animal species, pottery and diverse changes in lithic technology. A domesticated lentil dated to 7.6 ka cal BP may mark the onset of this transitional process. With the help of 22 14C-ages the Early Neolithic deposit can be subdivided in three phases (ENA, ENB, ENC). In addition, the ENC phase contained the remains of a sporadic Late Neolithic occupation. Pottery decoration of the initial ENA phase (7.6–7.3 ka cal BP) is dominated by single Cardium impressions forming horizontal and vertical bands of impressions arranged vertical, horizontal or oblique. The successive ENB phase represents the main occupation phase between 7.1 and 6.6 ka cal BP. By means of statistical methods its assemblage, which consists of 243 vessel units, could be further subdivided (ENB1, ENB2). While ENB1 (7.1–6.9 ka cal BP) is still characterised by single Cardium impressions, the transition to ENB2 is marked by the appearance of Cardium and, later, comb impressions made using rocker stamp technique as well as a few impressions of points and spatulas, striations and modelled applications. Thus the pottery assemblage of Ifri Oudadane offers insights into the first occurrence of pottery in Mediterranean Northwest Africa and opens up the possibility for an internal classification of the Early Neolithic.

Le Capsien de Hergla (Tunisie): culture, environnement et économie

problem. It is also worth noting that this type of research, allowing for an interpretation of the regional and inter-regional connections over long distances, leads to the construction of big-picture models that lack the data typical of more minute reconstructions in which society also finds a place. In the specific case of this volume, the gap is partially filled thanks to the use of historical and ethnographic sources. Nonetheless, the development of this area of research in the future will need to involve greater exchange between disciplines and the development of a common methodology. Finally, it is worth noting that the authors also use modern historiographical sources (the travellers Fréderic Cailliaud, Gerhard Rohlfs and William Harding King) and the ancient cartographers, while in the Introduction the already dense discussion is broadened by nine boxes containing further self-contained narratives.

Fire history reconstruction from Black Carbon analysis in Holocene cave sediments at Ifri Oudadane, Northeastern Morocco

Fire residues elucidate the where, when, and how of land use. Charcoal analysis provides insights into wood-burning practices, but is restricted by the size of identifiable particles. The present paper is the first to apply a black carbon (BC) method to archaeological sediment deposits. This method oxidizes charcoal and soot particles from the bulk sediment to benzene polycarboxylic acids (BPCAs), independent of size. Our aim was to test the potential of BC analysis in order to elucidate the input from grass and wood fires and discuss the potential limitations of the method on sediments of the Ifri Oudadane rock shelter, Morocco. Sediments cover the cultural transition from hunter–gatherers to food-producing communities (Epipaleolithic to Neolithic period, 11–6 kyr cal. BP), which has previously been shown to affect the geochemical, palynological, and archaeological inventories of these sediments. We found respective changes in BC; specifically, content was highest during the Epipaleolithic, with an average of 35% BC in organic carbon (Corg) compared with Neolithic sediments with an average of 24% BC in Corg. The fire temperature (expressed by BPCA composition) changed significantly, which suggests that wood fires dominated in the Epipaleolithic and grass fires dominated in the Neolithic period. These findings agree with a previously suggested shift in usage. We are able to show here that BC analysis, when combined with other proxy data and archaeological findings, can contribute to a deepened understanding of past human activities.

Resources, Use Potential and Basic Needs

Landscape archaeology as an analytical concept is not really new. Compilations of publications on this issue list several hundred references. Although they are far from being unanimous in their understanding of landscape archaeology, there is a common theme among almost all approaches, that is, the use of the term “landscape” as an analytical concept for a comprehensive understanding of the relation of prehistoric people to their environs, how they acted upon it, and, for a lesser number of papers, how they were cognizant of it. To clarify its full potential the term “landscape” is defined here and an epistemological frame developed for its implementation. The aim is to grasp the complex network of relations between resources, use of resources, and basic human needs in one comprehensive representation. This approach helps to work through all relevant issues in a checklist and facilitates comparisons between different case studies. Case studies from northern and southern Africa demonstrate the value of such an approach.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS IN THE DJEBEL UWEINAT REGION, LIBYAN DESERT

Over the last hundred years the Djebel Uweinat was the objective of several expeditions, most of them being driven by the intention to find new rock art sites. These explorers mostly stayed at the base of the mountain where the majority of the currently known rock art sites were found. During their two recent visits, the members of the ACACIA team focused their interest on the upper part of the Uweinat and on its smaller, mostly neglected neighbouring mountain, the Djebel Arkenu. In the upper part of the Djebel Uweinat artefacts and some stone arrangements were found. While no rock art sites were spotted in the upper part, we discuss the function of stone arrangements and rock art from the lower reaches in view of the semiotic processes in which they may have operated. The presentation of the rock art sites found at Djebel Arkenu will also be fitted into an overview of how we interpret the cognitive map of people who used to live in the environment of the two mountains. Furthermore, some background information concerning the landmarking function of the archaeological finds is given which could be a useful indicator of the character of mobility as well as of perception of landscape among prehistoric people.