Archeology of a central Saharan Granitic Ring Complex in Niger

This monograph presents climatic, geochronological, radiometric, and archaeological evidence for hominin activities around the Adrar Bous massif on the western edge of today's Tnr Desert, Niger. It documents a Late Acheulean lithic industry, a generalised Middle Paleolithic, and an Aterian displaying technological affinities to equatorial African industries. It also documents two phases of early Holocene Epipalaeolithic during high lake levels in the Tnr, followed by cattle-keepers of Tenerian tradition. Ceramic analysis indicates emergence of an autochthonous Tenerian tradition from earlier, more widespread pottery fabrication practices. Faunal evidence reflects aquatic exploitation during Holocene high lake levels, followed by Tenerian cattle-based pastoralism, with suggestions of ritualised feasting and refuse disposal. This richly illustrated and profusely documented volume contributes to Saharan archaeology and, more broadly, to Pleistocene and Holocene African archaeology.

The Editors
The late J. Desmond Clark was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley. Clark developed the Rhodes-Livingstone Museum in what is now Zambia and was among the founders of the precursor to the Pan-African Association for Archaeology and the Society of Africanist Archaeologists. He undertook research in many African nations, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, and Niger, as well as in Syria, India, and China. He died in 2002, during preparation of the Adrar Bous monograph.
Diane Gifford-Gonzalez is Professor in the Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Cruz. She is a zooarchaeologist who has studied Holocene foragers and the emergence of pastoralism in eastern Africa and the Sahara. She is past president of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists. She assumed general editorship of this monograph in 2002, upon J. Desmond Clark's death.