Rachel MacLean

Symbolism and the social contexts of iron production in Karagwe

Abstract Technology is intrinsically rooted within social contexts. Archaeological approaches which do not take this into account fail to fully understand technology. The social contexts of iron production are examined at Igurwa, an iron‐smelting centre within Karagwe, a nineteenth‐century African kingdom. At different levels within the society, power was derived from the control and manipulation of technical and ritual knowledge of iron production. Men excluded women, iron‐working clans excluded other clans and the king attempted to maintain control over iron workers by the use of ritual religion and symbolism. Control of iron production was essential because of its economic importance but more importantly because of the symbolic dangers associated with smelting which threatened the fertility of the state.

The social context of food technology in Iron Age Gao, Mali

Songhai communities living in Gao (Mali) today have a distinctive cuisine, in which pounding and boiling/steaming technologies are dominant. Other characteristics include the use of ceramic stoves and kitchen mobility. Archaeological excavation at Gao, together with historical evidence, suggest that certain of these characteristics can be projected back a thousand years to the Iron Age. In turn, these technologies have social implications, particularly when considering the lives of women at this period.

The Tension between Communities, Development and Archaeological Heritage Preservation: The Case Study of Tengzug Cultural Landscape, Ghana

Abstract The relationship between traditional beliefs, worldview, heritage conservation, and archaeological investigation is a complex one. This is considered with reference to perceptions of the landscape and the conflict which can occur between government policy and indigenous beliefs in relation to architecture amongst the Tallensi communities of Tengzug in Northern Ghana. It is evident that both tangible and intangible elements constitute heritage in Tengzug and this needs to be recognized by researchers, heritage professionals, and government bodies charged with implementing development policies. Abstract La relación entre las creencias tradicionales, la visión del mundo, la conservación del patrimonio y la investigación arqueológica es muy compleja. Este fenómeno viene examinado aquí con referencia a las percepciones del paisaje y el conflicto que puede surgir entre la política del gobierno y las creencias indígenas con relación a la arquitectura de los pueblos de Tengzug en el norte de Ghana. Es obvio que el patrimonio de los habitantes de Tengzug tiene elementos a la vez tangibles e intangibles, y por ende los investigadores, los profesionales del patrimonio y las agencias del gobierno responsables de la ejecución de políticas de desarrollo deben tener presente este hecho.

Archaeology, luxury and the exotic: The examples of Islamic Gao (Mali) and Bahrain

Luxury would appear to be both difficult to define and difficult to identify archaeologically. Evidence from two different Islamic communities in Gao (Mali) and Bilad al-Qadim (Bahrain) indicates that the recognition of the exotic rather than the luxurious is easier to achieve. The notion of luxury within these communities is reflected in culinary skill and preparation, and in communal dining, rather than in the categories of evidence which the archaeologist might more easily recognize as indicators of luxury.

The Iron Age Ceramics from the Tong Hills, Northern Ghana. Sequence and Comparative Perspective

The archaeology of Ghana north of 10 degrees remains little known, thus between 2004 and 2009 archaeological research was completed in the Tong Hills, the home of the Talensi ethno-linguistic group. An overview of the research is presented here with especial emphasis placed on the ceramic traditions and chronology. These are contextualised within the archaeology of the wider region of northern Ghana.