archaeology; archaeobotany; Central Africa; radiocarbon dates; human activities; Early Iron Age; Late Iron Age
Abstract :
[en] In the last decade, the myth of the pristine tropical forest has been seriously challenged. In central Africa, there is a growing body of evidence for past human settlements along the Atlantic forests, but very little information is available about human activities further inland. In this study, we aimed at determining the temporal and spatial patterns of human activities in an archaeologically unexplored area of 110,000 km² located in the northern Congo Basin and currently covered by dense forest. Fieldwork involving archaeology as well as archaeobotany was undertaken in 36 sites located in southeastern Cameroon and in the northern Republic of Congo. Evidence of past human activities through either artifacts or charred botanical remains was observed in all excavated test pits across the study area. The set of 43 radiocarbon dates extending from 15,000 BP to the present time showed a bimodal distribution in the Late Holocene which was interpreted as two phases of human expansion with an intermediate phase of depopulation. The 2300–1300 BP phase is correlated with the migrations of supposed farming populations from northwestern Cameroon. Between 1300 and 670 BP, less material could be dated. This is in agreement with the population collapse already reported for central Africa. Following this, the 670–20 BP phase corresponds to a new period of human expansion known as the Late Iron Age. These results bring new and extensive evidence of human activities in the northern Congo Basin and support the established chronology for human history in central Africa.
Disciplines :
Arts & humanities: Multidisciplinary, general & others Archaeology Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Morin-Rivat, Julie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Fayolle, Adeline ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Gestion des ressources forestières et des milieux naturels
Bourland, Nils ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Doct. sc. agro. & ingé. biol.
Gourlet-Fleury, Sylvie; CIRAD
Oslisly, Richard; IRD
Bremond, Laurent; EPHE
Bentaleb, Ilham; Université Montpellier 2 > ISEM
Beeckman, Hans; Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale
Doucet, Jean-Louis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Language :
English
Title :
New Evidence of Human Activities during the Holocene in the Lowland Forests of the Northern Congo Basin
Publication date :
January 2014
Journal title :
Radiocarbon
Publisher :
University of Arizona, United States - Arizona
Volume :
56
Issue :
1
Pages :
209-220
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
FRFC "Dynamique des populations d'arbres et d'herbacées héliophiles...", CoForChange
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture EraNet Biodiversa
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