- No. 6 A NEWSLETTER OF AFRICAN ARCHAEOLOGY May 1975

Edited by P.L. Shinnie and issued from the Department of Archaeology, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N lN4, Canada. (This issue edited by John H. Robertson.)

I must apologize for the confusion which has developed con- cerning this issue. A notice was sent in February calling for material to be sent by March 15th. Unfortunately a mail strike in Canada held up the notices, and some people did not receive them until after the middle of March. To make matters worse I did not get back from the until May 1st so the deadline really should have been for the end of April. My thanks go to the contributors of this issue who I am sure wrote their articles under pressure of trying to meet the March 15th deadline.

Another fumble on our part occurred with the responses we received confirming an interest in future issues of Nyame Akuma Professor ~hinnie'sintent in sending out the notice was to cull the now over 200 mailing list down to those who took the time to respond to the notice. Unfortunately the secretaries taking care of the-mail in Shinnie's absence thought the notice was only to check addresses, and only changes in address were noted. In other words, we have no record of who returned the forms. I suspect when Professor Shinnie returns in August he will want to have another go at culling the mailing list .

I hope this issue of Nyame Akuma, late though it is, reaches everyone before they go into the field, and that everyone has an enjoyable and productive summer.

John H. Robertson NEWS ITEMS

News of field activities in Africa, or research subsequent to field work, is listed here with the countries arranged alphabetically, except that the countries in which the British Institute in Eastern Africa works are grouped together, also alphabetically, under the heading of East Africa.

East Africa

The British Institute in Eastern Africa

David Phillipson has continued his research on the later prehis- tory of northern Kenya with a survey of the Wajir and Mandera Districts in the extreme north-east of the country, bordering on Ethiopia and the Somali Republic. Examination of the ancient wells at Wajir and El Wak failed to locate sites which might be contempo- rary with the wells' construction; but elsewhere a "Late Stone Age" industry, in which backed microliths are rare but scrapers numerous, was found adjacent to wells of similar type. A rich succession of "~orian-like" industries was located in the valley of the Daua river west of Mandera. The only rock shelter to show sips of prehistoric occupation was at Jumba min Aboy, south of El Wak, where a long and interesting series of schematic rock engravings was discovered.

An extensive site yielding bone harpoon heads and "wavy-line" pottery has been located on a high beach level of Lake Rudolf near Loiengelani and it is hoped to excavate there later this year. Analysis is continuing of the material recovered from North Horr and Kulchurdo Cave.

The 1975 season of excavation at Aksum has been deferred. A preliminary report on H.N. Chittick's work at the site is included in Azania Vol. IX, publication of which is imminent.

P. Pender-Cudlip has completed writing up the results of his work on the history of Iramba in central Tanzania. He will be leav- ing the Institute at the end of April 1975.

Mr. Stuart Munro-Hay has been appointed to a Studentship to enable him to study the foreign relations of the Aksumite Empire.

Visiting researchers connected with the Institute include Miss Franciose Hivernel of the Institute of Archaeology, London, who is working on a "Late Stone Age" site near Lake Baringo. Mr. Michael Melham of the University of Illinois is reinvestigating the Nasera ("Apis ~ock")rock shelter in the Serengeti National Park, while Mr. Robert Thornton of the University of Chicago is conducting historical and anthropological research among the Iraqw of Mbulu Region, Tanzania.

Kenya

Dr. R.M. Gramly would like to notify the readers that his dissertation entitled "Pastoralists and Hunters: Recent Prehistory in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania" may be obtained at the address below for 6~/page (microfilm) or 10~/page(xerox) plus $3.00 handling charge. The dissertation totals 435 pages which includes numerous plates and figures.

Harvard University does not participate in the University Microfilms system. Curator of Archives Widener Library Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA

Dr. Robbins reports :

I am planning to return to East Africa for a year's field work west of Lake Rudolf in Kenya. The research will focus on the cultural adaptations of the Holocene, especially along the ancient lake edge. I would appreciate corresponding with any researchers who are working on similar problems.

A report has been completed for the Rangi site in southern Karamoja district, Uganda. This is basically a late Stone Age site with mixed in Iron Age materials. There were three main layers to the site and the radiocarbon dates, while anomalous, suggest an age within the last 500 years. The tools for the most part are microlithic and there is an abundance of pottery and faunal remains. The fauna, which includes animals such as zebra, eland, hartebeeste, wart hog, gazelle and other species, will provide much new information on the subsis- tence patterns in south Karamoja. The results of a survey in south Karamoja have also been finalized and will soon be submitted for publication.

Analysis of the human skeletal material from west of Lake Rudolf completed by the late T.W. Phenice and L. Angel will be published soon. Much of the material seems to be similar to late paleolithic remains from . The individuals tended to be tall and linear in body build. -Mali

Dr. Bedaux reports:

From November 10th to December 9th, 1974, Professor Dr. J. Huizinga, Dr. R. Bedaux, Mr. H. Haan and Mr. A. Burgmans of the Institute of Human Biology, State University at Utrecht (Netherlands), visited sites along the river Niger and its tributary the Bani near Mop t i (Mali) .*

The purpose of this visit was to select a site to be excavated in the near future. Information is needed on the dating and cultural content of a civilization characterized until now only by terracotta statues exported illegally by treasure hunters. It was hoped to find a site containing human skeletal remains in sufficient number and in such a state of conservation as to enable the physical anthropologist to study the genetic relationships to recent and ancient populations in this archaeologically so important part of Africa.

Travelling by boat from Mopti to ~ienn6via Kouakourou 4 mounds were localized and from Dienne back to Mopti via the river Bani 24 ones. Near ~iennband ~6vardconcentrations of mounds were found (7 and 5 respectively). The mounds are situated alongside the river and are sometimes caved-in, showing the often complicated strati- graphy of the site. They may attain a surface of some 100.000 m 2 and a height of several metres. The surface is generally heavily eroded and studded with pottery fragments. Sometimes structural features such as house foundations, remains of iron smelting furnaces and graves are visible. Surface collections of 14 mounds include pottery (e.g. fragments of jar-urns, fragments of statues, spindle- whorls, smoking pipes) , fragments of iron and cuprous objects , glass beads and stone artifacts.

Two sites were selected for excavation at the end of this year: a mound near ~ienndand a mound near Shard. Two C-14 samples from the latter are submitted for analysis. The results will be communi- cated in due time.

* This visit was made possible by grants to Professor Dr. J. Huizinga (director of the Institute of Human Biology) from the Netherlands Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Recreation and Social Welfare (The Hague) and the Boise Fund (Oxford). South Africa

Professor Tobias Reports

During 1974 and the early months of 1975, the research work at the Sterkfontein fossil site, the present phase of which began on 1st December 1966, has been continued by Professor P.V. Tobias, with field direction by Mr. A.R. Hughes, of the Anatomy Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. A number of new hominid fossils have been recovered and there is new light on the dating and stratigraphy of the deposit.

A three-months' excavation at Makapansgat Limeworks, in the northern Transvaal, was also undertaken.

Good progress has been made in the analysis of stratigraphy, cave morphology, fauna, fossil bone chemistry and dating evidence, while recent fossil hominid and faunal finds are now being studied.

1974 marked the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the child skull of Taung, in the Cape Province, and its recognition by Professor R.A. Dart, The discovery and the naming of Australopithecus africanus were published in February 1925.

New developments in dating techniques have led to the theory that, far from being the oldest known hominid fossil from Southern Africa, the Taung skull is possibly the youngest. Together with the anniversary, this new theory has re-focussed the interest of palaeo- anthropologists and geologists on the Taung child, resulting in publications by Dr. T.C. Partridge, Professor P.V. Tobias and Dr. K.W. Butzer. *******

(A list of palaeo-anthropological publications by members and associates of the Anatomy Department at the University of the Witwatersrand is appended.)

UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

PALAEO-ANTHROPOLOGY PROGRAMME

Publications and Addresses 1973-1974 (as at 29th July 1974)

Already published PARTRIDGE, T.C. Geomorthological dating of cave opening at Makapansgat, (19 73) Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Taung. Nature 246: 75-79. TOBIAS, P.V. ~arwin'sprediction and the African emergence of the (19 73) genus Homo. Proceedings of the Darwin Centenary Symposium on "The Origin of Man", Rome, October 1971. Rome : Accedemia Mazionale del Lincel, 182 : 63-84.

( 19 73) A new chapter in the history of the Sterkfontein early hominid site. J.S. Afr.biol.Soc. 14: 30-44.

(19 73) Praeanthropus. In Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Vol. 9, p. 73. Cape Town: Nasou Ltd.

(1973) Lake Rudolf, Kenya. (1) Hominid Site. In Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Vol. 9, p. 422. Cape Town: Nasou Ltd.

(1973) Skildergat, C.P. In Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Vol. 2, p. 652. Cape Town: Nasou Ltd.

(1973) Implications of the new age estimates of the early South African hominids. Nature 246 (5428): 79-83.

( 19 73) Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey 1903-1972 (and bibiography). S .Afr. Archaeol.Bul1. 28 (1111) : 3-12.

(1973) Editor of special number of the Journal of Human Evolution in honor of Professor R.A. Dart, on the occasion of his 80th birthday: Palaeoanthropologica1 Progress, Problems and Perspectives. Vol. 2 (6) : 417-577.

New developments in hominid paleontology in South and East Africa. In Annual Review of Anthropology (ed. B.J. Siegel, assoc. eds. A.R. Beals and S.A. Tyler), Vol. 2. 1973. Annual Reviews Inc., Palo Alto, California. 311-334.

(1973) New Af rican evidence on hominid phylogeny. (Extended abstract). In IXth Congress International Union for Quaternary Research: Abstracts. Christchurch, N.Z. : Royal Society of New Zealand. 369-372.

(1973) Early man in East Africa. In Man in Evolutionary Perspective, (eds. C.L. Brace, J. Metress) New York/~ondon: Wiley & Sons.

( 1974) Palaeoanthropologica1 Progress, Problems and Perspectives. (Editorial Note) . J. Huiri.Evol.3 (3) : 1-2.

WALLACE, J.A. Molar occlusion in the ape-man (Australopithecus). (19 73) Am.J.Orthodont. 63: 606-609. (19 73) Tooth chipping in theaustralopithecines . Nature 244: 117-118. Thesis accepted SPERBER, G. The morphology of the cheek teeth of early South (1973) African hominids. Ph.D. dissertation, Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannes- burg.

In press or publication pending MACDOUGALL , D. Attempt to date early South African hominids using & PRICE, P.B. f ission-tracks in calcite . (Pending) (1974)

PARTRIDGE , T. C . Comment on K. Butzer: "Paleoecology of South African Australopithecines: Taung revisited." Current Anthropology, December 1974.

11 TOBIAS., P.V. Leaky, Louis. " Biographic Encyclopaedia of Scientists and ~echnologists. Ediz. Scient. e Techniche, Mondadorl, Milan.

"Recent studies on Sterkfontein and Makapansgat and their bearing on hominid phylogeny in Africa." S.Afr.Archaeol.Bull.

South African entries for International catalogue of Fossil Man: llnd Edition. (with K. Copley) eds. B. Campbell, K.P. Oakley, T. Molleson. British Museum (Natural History) : London.

South West African entries for International Catalogue of Fossel Man: llnd Edition. (with H. de Villiers) eds. B. Campbell, K.P. Oakley, T. Molleson. British Museum (Natural History) : London. "Brain Evolution in the Hominoidea. In Antecedents of Man and After,ed. P. Tuttle. The Hague: Mouton Publishers.

"L.S.B. Leakey: a pioneer of Palaeoecology." In Palaeoecolopy of Africa, ed. E.M. van Zinderen Bakker. Bloemfontein .

"Springbok Flats an. " Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern A£ rica.

"Sterkfontein Fossil Site." Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa.

"Taung Fossil Site." Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa.

"Telanthropus. Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa. "~uinplaasSkeleton. " Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa.

"Zinj anthropus .It Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa.

"A partial biochemical characterization of fossilized bone from Makapansgat, Swartkrans and Queen Charlotte Islands," (D.J. Carmichael, P.V. Tobias and C.M. Dodd.) Submitted to Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 24th May 1974.

Comment on K Butzer: "Paleoecology of South African australopithecines : Taung revisited." Current Anthropology, December 1974.

Comment on B. Blumenberg and N.B. Todd: "On the association between Homo and Australopithecus." Current Anthropology, December 1974.

Comment on T .R. Olson: "Taxonomic implications of the transfer of the Taung skull to the robust australo- pithecine lineage. I' Nature.

"New African evidence qn the dating and the phylogeny of the Pilo-Pleistocene Hominidae. It Royal Society of New Zealand.

WALLACE, J.A. (1973) "~ietaryadaptations of Australopithecus and early -Homo." Paper presented to the IX International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences, Chicago, Sep t . 19 73. (19 74) "Evolutionary trends in the early hominid dentition: a study in Paleoanatomy. It Proceedings of conference on "African Hominidae of the Pilo- Pleistoncene : Evidence, Problems and Strategies ." New York, Jan. 26-Feb. 2, 1974

WILKINSON, M.J. (1973) "Sterkfontein cave system: evolution of a Karst Form." M.A. dissertation presented to Depart- ment of Geography, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Addresses given: TOBIAS, P.V. IXth International Congress of Anthropological and Ethnological Science Chicago, September 1973 : "Brain Evolutuon in the Hominoidea. "

Philadelphia Anthropological Society, September 1973: "New African Contributions to Human Evolution." TOBIAS, P.V. Combined meeting of Anthropology Department and Dental and Medical Faculties, University of Alberta at Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, September 1973: "~ecentAdvances in Human Evolutionary Studies. "

Linnean Society, London, September 19 73: "New African Evidence on Hominid Phylogeny. "

IXth Congress of the International Union for Quaternary Research, Christchurch, New Zealand, December 1973: "New African Evidence on Hominid Phylogeny."

Department of Anatomy, University of Western Australia, Perth, December 1973: "Recent African Evidence on Human Evolution. If

Southern African Museums Association, Port Elizabeth, March 19 74: "~ecentAfrican Evidence on Human Evolution. "

S.A. Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, Bloemfontein, June 1974: "Recent African Evidence on Human Phylogeny. "

More Publications from the University of Witwatersrand, Johhanesburg.

VRBA, E.S. 1973 Some recent developments in the research of the Bovidae of the australopithecine caves. Tvl. Mus. Bull. 14: pp. 8-9 (Sept . 1973)

De VILLIERS, H, 1974 San (Bushman) Skeletal Remains from Munro and Rietpan sites, Vaal-Limpopo basin. S. Afr. J. Sci. 70: pp. 376-7 (Dec. 1974).

De VILLIERS, H. 1974 Thandwe Rock Shelter, Zambia: report on human skeletal remains. In press.

De VILLIERS, H. 1974 Kalemba Rock Shelter, Zambia: report on human skeletal remains. In press.

De VILLIERS, H. and 1974. Bushman Rock Shelter, Origstad, South Africa. Hum. PROTSCH, R. -.---J. Evol. -3: pp. 387-396. PARTRIDGE, T.C. 1974 Comment on K.W. Butzer et al: "Alluvial terraces of the lower Vaal River, South Africa: a re-appraisal and re-investigation. S. Afr. J. Geology, 82 (5), (Sept. 1974).

PARTRIDGE, T.C. 1974 Comment on A.M.J. De Swardt: "Geomorphological dating of cave openings in South,Africa." Nature 250 (5468) : pp. 683-684. VRBA, E.S. Chronological and ecological implications of the fossil bovidae at Sterkfontein Australo- pithecine site. Nature -250 (5461) : pp. 19-23. WALLACE, J.A. Evolutionary trends in the early hominid dentition: a study in paleoanatomy . Paper prepared in advance for participants in the conference on African Hominidae of the Pliq Pleistocene: Evidence, Problems and Stragegies. Jan.-Feb. 1974. Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.

WALLACE, J .A. Approximal grooving of teeth. Am J. Phys. Anthrop. 40 (3) : pp. 385-390.

WALLACE. J.A. Did La Ferassie 1 use his teeth as a tool? Ig press.

Sudan

Mr. Green reports:

SUDANESE RADIO CARBON CHRONOLOGY : A PROVISIONAL DATE LIST BY H.S . Green

The following list comprises dates from Sudanese sites of all periods. The arrangement is geographical with sdbdivisions in approximate chronological order into named industries, assemblages or periods. Series dates from sites (e.g.Abka or Meroe) have been kept together. In instances (about a dozen) where published sources give conflicting versions of a date, the Radiocarbon version has been taken as authoritative. The list includes dates published up to Radiocarbon -17, part i, (1975) and Kush 15. The arrangement of the list is as follows :-

Section Data nos.

Blue Province Kassala Province Khartoum Province Northern Province Nubian Upper Stone Age Nubian Final Stone Age Miscellaneous Nubian Stone Age Dates Nubian Ceramic Age A & C Group Middle Kingdom Meroitic Series dates (Abka, , Meroe, , Soleb, Wadi Halfa 6G9) The central column gives the following information: fi t, details of archaeological context; second, material on which "C determination was made (viz, wood, charcoal, etc.); third, published references. Precise details of findspots, supplied by Peter Shinnie, have been quoted for Meroe. I have not quoted page references to Wendorf (1968) in view of the excellent index in those volumes. The use of lower case characters for bc and a.d. denotes the fact that the ages quoted are in radiocarbon rather than solar years.

I would be grateful for any emendations or additions to this date list before submission for definitive publication elsewhere. The author's address is Bradwell Abbey Field Centre, Abbey Road, Bradwell, Milton Keynes, MK13 9AP, England.

I am grateful to Peter Shinnie for permission to include un- published dates from Meroe. The weighted means and standard deviations quoted for Merow have been computed by myself and I would be happy to discuss the formulae involved with any interested reader. I am grateful also to Abbas Sied Ahmed for valuable discussion during the preparation of this list.

Section A - BLUE NILE PROVINCE

1. Tagra Shell with 'protohistoric' artifacts and skeletons. Radiocarbon -15 (1973), 569

2. Jebelet Shell from layer with pottery, a Tomat flat-topped stone macehead fragment and 1 quartz lip-plug. Nyame Akuma, no. 3, (Oct. 1973) 57 Nature 211 (5046) , 270-1

2a. Tagra Shell from depth of 1.2m-- 1.4m. 61802225 bc (SUA-68) Shell from depth of 1.6m - 1.9m. 6240z350 bc Two fragments of a uniserially barbed (1-1485) bone point of 'Early Khartoum' type were found at a depth of 1.3m. Nature 249 (5453), 120-3.

2b. Guli Shell associated with a barbed bone 3530t90 bc point of uncertain affinities and (SUA-2 11) pottery related to the Khartoum Neolithic impressed wares. Nature 249 (5453), 120-3.

3. Jebelet Shell from base of midden containing 25502130 bc Tomat protohistoric pottery and stone (SUA-6 7) artifacts. Radiocarbon 15 (19731, 569. 4 Tagra Shell associated with uniserially barbed bone point of Early Khartoum type . ~kdiocarbon15 (1973) 572. Nyame Akuma,~os. 3, (Oct. 1973), 63.

Section B - KASSALA PROVINCE 5 Khasm el Hagiz industry (incised ceramics 1100f90 bc Girba and microliths). (TX-446) Date probably too young. Radiocarbon -10 (1968), 400. Shiner, 1971, 398. 6 Khasm el Butana Industry. Incised pottery, 2460290 bc Girba lip plugs, maceheads, choppers, (Tx-445)

grindstones,- polished stone implements, awls and lunates). ~adiocarbon10 (1968) 400 Shiner, 19717381. Nyame Akuma, No. 3 (0ct.1973), 60.

Section C - KHARTOUM PROVINCE 7 Shaheinab 'Khartoum Neolithic' assemblage 31102450 bc Charcoal and shell dates respectively. (C-753) Arkell, A.J., Shaheinab (1953) 107 3496-380 bc (c-754)

Section D - NORTHERN PROVINCE 8 Dabarosa, Later Khormusan industry. Charcoal. 15,850f500 bc Anquash, Radiocarbon 10 (1968) 484 (WSU-215) site ANW-3 Wendorf, 196K (Locality 228)

9 Khor Musa, Khormusan industry, Charcoal. 18,950f280 bc. Site 1017 Radiocarbon 10 (1968) 484 (wsu-203) Wendorf , 196K Kush 13 (1965) 40. -7 14,550f500 bc 10 Khor Musa Halfan industry (stage IV) Site 443. Charcoal. Date possibly too young. (WSU-201) Radiocarbon -10 (1968) 484. Wendorf, 1968.

11 Khor Musa, Halfan industry (Stage Iv) Charcoal. 17,2002375 bc Sitc 2014 Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 484 (WSU-332) Wendorf, 196r

12 Khor Musa, Sebilian industry. Dates from sites 89752140 bc Sites 1024A 1024A and 1024C respectively. (WSui188) & 1024C Charcoal. 9050-120 bc Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 482-3. (WSU-144) Wendorf, 1968. Kush 13 (1965) 42-

13 Jebel Sebilian industry. Shell. Halfa --Kush 11 (l963), 100.

Mirgissa, Final Qadan industry. Some pottery Site 605 present. Charcoal. Radiocarbon 10 (1968) 483-4. Wendorf, 1968.

El Ikhtyarhryia, Qadan industry. Shell. site 745. Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 482. Wendorf, 196'8T

El Ikhtyarhryia, Qadan industry. Shell. Site Ad-lhadiocarbon 10 (1968), 483. Wendorf, 1968.

El Ikhtyarhryia, Qadan industry. Date on wood 10,600+460 bc in fluviatile deposits close to site (wsu-20 2) 1028. Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 484 Wendorf, 196r

18 Arkin Arkinian industry. Charcoal. Site DlW-1.Radiocarbon 10 (1968) 483 Wendorf, 196'8T 19 Arkin, Shamarkian industry. Site, Charcoal DlW-51 Radiocarbon 10 (1968) 483. Wendorf , 1968.

Wadi Halfa, Charcoal from fire-pit 5960t120 bc Site D1W-53. in post-Arkin formation silts. (SMU-4) Radiocarbon -16, iii, (1974) 380. Gezira Industry of Epi-levallois 16,150*1200 bc Dabarosa tradition including discoidal and (1-863) Site 6-B-27 double-ended cores, retouched 7325*600 bc blades, burins, retouched flakes (GXO-122) of microlithic dimensions, 4200f300 bc hammerstones. (1-864) Both dates charcoal. GXO-122 thought to be the most reliable date. Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 190-1 --Kush 12 (1964), 185-6 --Kush 13 (1965), 21. Quaternaria -6 (1962), 451-477. Nubia, Un-named industry. 13150f750 bc Site 6-B-29 Similar industry to the preceding. (Gxo-120) --Kush 13 (1965), 21. Khor Musa, Industry 6 (un-named) 12390*500 bc Site 440 Described as early Upper (WSU-290) Palaeolithic. Charcoal. Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 484. Wendorf , 1968.

Karagan Upper Palaeolithic industry. 11700+300 bc Valley, Shell. (GX-421) Site 11-1-16. Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 157. --Kush 14 (196, 32, 46. Halfa Early Upper Palaeolithic Industry 8025f280 bc Deghe im , with high percentage of Levallois (WSU-142) Site 1017. technique. Charcoal. Radiocarbon -10 (l968), 482. Khor Kageras, Hearth site, surrounded by 53502350 bc Akasha. artefacts of 'broadly Mesolithic' (1-530) character. --Kush 11 (1963), 103. Radiocarbon 8 (1966). 190.

Khor Musa, Undefined rnicrolithic assemblage. 5100t210 bc Site 1021. No pottery. (WSU-213) Charcoal. Wendorf, 1968. Flight, 1973, 535. Wadi Halfa, Dates human burials associated 4535k160 bc Site 6-8-36 with epipalaeolithic stone tools (GX-445) and bones of ox; also 'quernstones'. Bone (carbonate fraction), Date believed to be 2000-3000 years too young. Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 158. Nature -203 (i964), 341-3.

- 30 Dibeira West, Post-Shamarkian neolithic 3270*50 bc Site DlW-4 Wendorf, 1968. (wSU-103) Cf., however, contradicting publication as from probably Neolithic oven at sitewadi Halfa W.-5 in Radiocarbon -10 (1968), 482. 31 Arkin, Post-Shamarkian neolithic. 3650f200 bc Site DlW-50 Charcoal. (WSTJ-174) Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 483. 3460*150 bc Radiocarbon -E, iii, (1974), (sMU-1) 379-380. 3930f150 bc Wendorf, 1968. (sMU-2)

32 Karagan Probable terminal Abkan assemblage . 2985*130 bc Valley Site, Charcoal. (GX-423) 33 Arnbikol East. Abkan assemblage. 3780t160 bc Site AS-16-S-10. Charcoal. Weighted mean and (U-820) standard deviation is 3435t50 bc. 3310f80 bc

34 Wadi Halfa, Unclassified early Neolithic Site 605-33-1. assemblage. Charcoal. Radiocarbon -10 (1968), 483. 35 Ashkeit, One sherd of 'Predynastic' brown Site 332, ware in hearth stratified in silt. Fireplace V. Charcoal. Weighted mean is 3300f 50 bc. Nordstrgm et al., 1972, 173, 251.

36 Antiquities Khartoum Variant assemblage Service site Wood. 16-V-19 Weighted mean is 1735-55+ bc. Nordstr6m et al, 1972, 251. (u-2$29) 1690-80 bc (U- 2492)

'7 Dibeira Terminal A-Group assemblage. 2490t90 bc Site 340. Charzoal. Weighted mean is (u-2$26) 2210-55 bc. 2290-70 bc Nordstrom et al., 1972, 29, (U-2$25) 155-8, 251. 2110-80 bc (u- 2491) 38 Halfa Degheim, Classic A-Group Cemetery (Grave 65) 24102120 bc Site 277 Cow-hide. (u-8f 9) Weighted mean is 2705-80+ bc. 1930-420 bc Nordstrom et al, 1972, 190-212, 251. (U-8)8) 3470-1000bc 39 Dongola Ranch Karat pottery complex. 18202150 bc Dquivalent to early Egyptian (Tx-1124) A-Group and late Khartoum ~eolithic). Shell. Date too young. Radiocarbon -914 (1972), 485

40 Wadi Halfa, C-Group occupation. Site WHW-7 Shell, Radiocarbon -10 (1968), 482

41 Kumma Dates construction of Middle Kingdom 1210t160 bc fort of reign of Seostris I11 (A-207) (188.7-1849 B.c.) Wood. Radiocarbon -4 (1962) , 248.

42 Askut I1 Wood from north girdle wall of Middle 1610f50 bc Kingdom fort believed to date from (A-434) the reign of Seostris I11 (1887- 1849 B.C.) Radiocarbon -6 (1964), 105.

43 Semna I Wood from main wal1,'believed 1720260 bc constructed in the reign of (A-433) Seostris I11 (1887-1849 B.C.) Radiocarbon -6 (1964), 105

+ 45 Musawwarat es From earthwork surrounding the 210-100 ad Suf ra Great Hafir. (Bln-116) Charcoal. Radiocarbon 6 (1964), 316. --Kush 10 (1967), 170 + 46 ~ibo~emble, Dates construction or recon- 80-80 ad. Argo . struction, Wood. (B-754) Radiocarbon -9 (1967), 33. 47 From foundation of probable 102130 bc temple of Late Meroitic date (A-606) (first centuries AD) in the village site of Meinarti. Charred timber. Radiocarbon -9 (1967), 11. Abka series

48 Abka, Site 9. Khartoum Variant pottery, (layer 6) including wavy-line sherds, and lithic material. Shell.

Radiocarbon -'2. (1960).' 46. Kush 8 (l96O), 176,'<81,- 209. NordsTrtim et al., 1972, 9, 239. 49 Abka, Site 9. Khartoum Variant assemblage. (Layer 5) Shell. Radiocarbon 2 (l96O), 46 --Kush 8 (19607, 176-7, 181, 209. Nordstrom et al, 1972, 115.

50 Abka, site 9. Single bowls, crudely burnished; 25202300 bc (Layer 4) also black-topped red pottery with (M-802) Shell incised decoration at the rim. Microlithic industry including 2550t350 bc crescents and numerous borers. (M-801) Radiocarbon 2 (1960), 46. Charcoal --Kush 8 (19607, 176-8, 181. 51 Abka, site 9. Microlithic industry ipcluding (Layers 2 and transverse arrowheads. 3) Also pottery. All dates charcoal. Radiocarbon 2 (l96O), 46. --Kush 8 (19607, 175, 178, 209.

52 Abka, Site 32 Nile oyster shell from site 72252400 bc (upper levels) with derived "Capsian" industry (M- 794) and no pottery. Radiocarbon 2 (1960), 46 --Kush 8 (19607, 178-180 53 Abka, Site 32 Oyster shell with 'Mesolithic' 75002400 bc (lower levels) industry. (M-795) Radiocarbon 2 (1960), 46. Kush 8 (1960i 178-180. Additional Abka bibliography: --Kush 6 (1958), 131-143 --Kush 11 (1963), 18, 103. Buhen Series

54 Buhen I11 Wood from wall of Middle Kingdom late (probably Seostris 11) (1903-1887 B.C.) Radiocarbon -6 (1964), 106

55 Buhen Pit 1, level 2. Charcoal. Sample sh0uj.d be of Archaic date (3100-2686 BC) Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 3 Radiocarbon 7 (1965), 352.

56 Buhen (copper- Charcoal from Old Kingdom smelting site) (2686-2181 BC) occupation debris stratified above levels dated to IV or V dynasties (2610-2340 BC). (A-321) Radiocarbon -5 (1963), 288-9. 1870-50 bc 57 Buhen Pit 1, level 1. Should be +2010-30 bc contemporary with IV Dynasty (A-519) (2500-2620 BC). 2040*8O Charcoal. (UCIA-665) Radiocarbon 8 (l966), 3. Radiocarbon 7- (1965) , 352.

58 Buhen Pit 2, level 1. Should be 2070f100 bc contemporary with IV Dynasty (A-521) (2500-2620 BC). 2140t80 bc Charcoal. (UCLA-666) Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 3. Radiocarbon -7 (1965), 352.

59 Buhen Charcoal of pre-IV Dynasty 2110%60 bc date (pre 2600 BC). From (UCLA- 247) building block 16. Radiocarbon -5 (1963), 22

60 Buhen Charcoal from possible I1 Dynasty 2240'60 bc Level (2890-2686 BC) stratified (A-333) below certain IV-V- Dynasty level. 2140t50 BC Radiocarbon -5 (1963), 289. (A- 334) 61 Buhen Charcoal from Building Block 1 2450t150 bc where found in association with (BM-139) sealings of the IV and V Dynasties 2470280 bc (2600-2350 BC). (UCLA-248) Radiocarbon 10 (1968), 1. Radiocarbon (1963),- 21.

Meroe (~agarawiya)series. Dates earliest occupation of a 280?120 bc part of the site and associated (Birm-98) iron-working. Charcoal. 550(9) amongst pits. ~adiocarbon-11 (1969) 269. Phillipson, ,1970, 5, 13.

63 Meroe Dates earliest occupation in one 514273 bc (~~71 area of the site and associated (Birm-97) iron. Charcoal. ~sO(9). Radiocarbon -11 (1969), 269; Phillipson, 1970, 5, 13; Current Anthropology -10 (1969), 229-230. From pit dug into natural subsoil 958295 bc and predating the level of Birm-98{Bim-99) Charcoal. K, ~50s(7) See date No.65.

65 Meroe From pit dug into natural subsoil 1030h40 bc m5) and predating the level of (Birm-100) Birm-98. I Charcoal. ~,~50s(7) Radiocarbon -11 (1969), 270. Phillipson, 1970, 5, 13.

66 Meroe Sample comes from two-thirds of 360t110 bc (MR1-114) the way down the deepest section (RL-283) and may imply that the earliest occupation was 200-300 years - earlier. M79E (27) Soper, 1974, 181. 67 Meroe Similar context to preceding date. 320t100 bc (MR1-115) M79s, oven in BL VIa, below (17). (RL-284) Soper, 1974, 181.

68 Meroe The sample should date the earliest 310t110 bc (MR1-116) iron-working (cf. Birm-97 above). (RL-285) K.50 (4) soper, 1974, 181.

69 Meroe From an ironworking area 520: 100 a,.d. (MR1-117) ( including a furnace) . (RL-286) SLH ITI(~) BL I1 (b) Soper, 1974, 181.

70 Meroe Similar context to the 310?100 a.d. (MR~-118) preceding sample. (RL- 287) SLH IT1 (a) (3) Soper, 1974, 181.

71 Meroe First part of divided sample 460+(100) bc I (MR-10) MR-10 (split into three). (~~~-346/1) Charcoal. 5.50 (9) Laboratory notes that the error term may be optimistic in view of lower than usual chemical yields obtained in the benzene production process.

. 72 Meroe Second part of divided sample 640f100 bc (MR-10) MR-10. 5.50 (9).8 Charcoal. (HAR-346/11)

73 Meroe Third Part of divided sample 530f80 (MR-10) MR-10 5.50 (9). Charcoal. (HAR-346/111)

A combined weighted mean and standard deviation has been computed on dates HAR-346/II-I11 only in view of the uncertainty attaching to ~~~-346/1.The result is 573564 bc (HAR-346/11-111).

74 Meroe First part of divided sample 70f80 bc (MR-11) MR-11 (split into two). Charcoal. (HAR-347/1) J/K 50 spit (11). 75 Meroe Second part of divided sample 140f90 bc (MR-11) MR-11. J/K 50 spit (11). Charcoal. (HA.-347/11)

1 76 Meroe First part of divided sample 280t70 a.d. (MR-1-120) (MR-1-120). Charcoal. (~~R-348/1) SLH T1 (7a) in pot 1.

77 Meroe Second part of divided sample. 210280 a.d. (MR+ 120) Charcoal. (HAR-348/11) SLH T1 (7a) in pot 1.

Combined weighted mean and standard deviation is 250t53 a.d. (HAR-348/I-11).

Mireissa series

78 Mirgissa Charcoal from hearth 1070f180 bc Radiocarbon -12 (1970), 440 (Gif-297)

79 Mirgissa Charcoal inside of mud bricks. 975t180 bc Radiocarbon -12 (1970) 439. (Gif-295)

80 Mirgissa Wood from wall of Upper Fortress - 1510-70 bc probably of Middle Kingdom date, (A-435) but just possible a New Kingdom addition. Radiocarbon -6 (1964) 105-6.

81 Mirgissa Charcoal inside mud-bricks. 18302200 bc Radiocarbon -12 (1970), 439. if-296)

Soleb series

82 Soleb, Wood of late XVIII or XIX 1031t58 bc Tomb 37 Dynasty sarcophagus (1370- (P-720) 1200 B.C.) Radiocarbon 7 (1965), 196 KUS~7 (19597. 154-170. 83 Soleb, Burnt horizon possibly contemporary 1095266 bc Tomb 32. with associated scarabs of Ramesses (P-714) period (1320-1085 B-C.) . Samples 1014f59 bc of charcoal, charred palm wood, (P-716) charred human bone and charcoal 979+66 bc respectively. (P-712) ~adiocarbon7 (1965), 196-7. 938h27 bc --Kush 7 (19597, 154-170. (P-715) 84 Soleb From 2 metre level of pit 1103259 bc believed to be of Meraitic date, (P-723) Human bone. .Radiocarbon 7 (1965), 197 --Kush 7 (19597, 154-170. 85 Soleb From tomb of reign of Arnenophis 111. 1137t59 bc Tomb 7 (1408-1372 B.C .). Charcoal. (P-718) Radiocarbon 7 (1965), 196. Kush 7 (1959T. 154-170.

86 Soleb, Charcoal from surface above a burial, 1161*59 bc Tomb 12. believed to be of Thoutmosis I11 - (P-717) Amenophis 111 period (1500-1370 B.C.) Radiocarbon 7 (l965), 196. --Kush 7 (19597, 154-170. 87 Soleb Charcoal from East embellishment 4245f70 bc of necropolis (pre-dynastic (P-721) context: i.e. pre-3100 B.c.) 4176*70 bc Radiocarbon 7 (1965), 196. --Kush 6 (19587, 82-98.

88 Site 6G9 Probably dating from the Napatan 800f170 bc Wadi Halfa. occupation of the site. (1-867) Charcoal. Radiocarbon -8 (1966),191. 89 Site 6G9 From hearth predating 150t200 bc Wadi Halfa. construction of stone wall in- (1-865) Gezira Daborosa village. Charcoal. Radiocarbon 8 (l966), 191. --Kush 10 (196?), 34-58, 90 Site GG9 From collapsed roofing pole Wadi Halfa. of house dated above (1-865) Younger date may indicate renewal of roof. Charcoal. Radiocarbon 8 (1966), 191. --Kush 10 (6, 34-58. 91 Site 6G9 Sample of scattered carbonised 300t175 bc Wadi Halfa. grain at floor level between (1-868) floors 1 and 2. &adiocarbon 8 (l966), 191. --Kush 10 (196?), 191.

Bibliography

Flight, C., 1973, 'A Survey of Recent Results in the Radiocarbon Chronology of Northern and Western Africa, Journal of African History -14, iv, (1973), 531-554. Nordstr&n, H.A., et al., 'Neolithic and A-Group Sites', in Siive- SGderbergh, T., (Ed.), The Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia, vol. -3, parts 1 and 2, (Stockholm, 1972). Phillipson, D.W., 1970, '~oteson the Later Prehistoric Radiocarbon Chronoiogy of Eastern and Southern Africa' , Journal of African History -11, i, (1970), 1-15. Shiner, J.L., 1971, The Prehistory and Geology of Northern Sudan, vol. 11, (1971). Unpublished report submitted to the National Science Foundation. Soper, B.C.,1974, '~ewRadiocarbon Dates for Eastern and Southern Africa', Journal of African History -15, ii, (1974), 175-192. Wendorf, F., (Ed.) 1968, The Prehistory of Nubia, 2 vols. (Fort Burgwin Research Centre and Southern Methodist University Press, 1968). Dr. Krzyzaniak would like to inform the readers that most of the animal bones recovered from his excavations at Kadero are of domesti- cated =. An archaeo-zoologist in Khartoum who has long experience in dealing with domesticated/European cattle and has also worked on cattle bones from East Africa made the identification. Kadero is a settlement of the Khartoum Neolithic date. C-14 samples have been collected and a firm date should be available for Nyama Akuma No. 17.

Mr. Robertson reports :

THE 74/75 MEROE EXCAVATION

It is not my place to report on the Meroe excavation, but since Professor Shinnie is on sabbatical, and since he gave me a free hand to edit this issue, and most important since we had such an exciting and productive season, I will give a brief summary of the 74/75 season at Meroe. I must warn, however, that I did not keep up with the many facets of the excavation in the manner the director did, hence much of my information is incomplete. Personnel for the season was as follows: Director: Professor P.L. Shinnie, Co-Director: Dr. Ahmed El Hakim, Excavation supervisors: Rod Heitzmann, Kathleen Robertson, Rebecca Bradley and Frank Kense; Small finds recorder: Deborah Reed, Draftsman: Brian Williams, Photographer: Lome Perry; Faunal Analysis: Rob Foley, Surveyor and Pottery analysis: Chip Reed, Pottery analysis: John Robertson. A number of students from the University of Khartoum joined the excavation for brief periods, but since I did not get to the site at the beginning of the season, I did not get to meet most of these students. The research was supported by a Canada Council grant to Professor Shinnie, and the University of Khartoum contributed facilities and labor.

Last year's probes in the industrial section of Meroe brought to light an iron furnace. That was an exciting find, and this year an intensive search was conducted in the same area in the hope of finding another and better preserved furnace. Below the earlier season's furnace was found a complete building which contained two iron furnaces. One furnace had eight tuyers coming out, two of which went to bellow pots. Along the walls of the building were found bins which contained clay (for molds?), cannister (a prepared form of iron stone) and charcoal (for the firing?). In front of the building was found a large elephant tusk (handles for knives and other implements?). The building dates from sometime around the beginning of our Era. C-14 samples were collected, and will be processed which should place the time of the building a bit more precisely.

Besides the excavation in the industrial area work was also carried out in the domestic section of Meroe. Previous years excavations on the 50 line had started to the east of a domestic mound, and extended for 120 meters west, approximately to the center of the mound. This year the trench was continued 150 meters west to the Arnon Temple. In previous years, the trench was eight meters wide, but this year the trench was reduced to only 2 meters, and two buildings which were crossed by the trench were completely excavated. One of the buildings proved to be a temple. Apparently the temple is of an early form (my expertise is in pottery, not temples) with a number of rebuildings. The names of Netakamani and Amanitare were found on a block which indicates that that Royal couple were responsible for one of the renovations. The stratigraphy of the building is especially interesting. The original floor of the temple was of green and black glazed tiles. Immediately on top of the floor was a squatters'occupation which consisted of hearths, grindstones and other food processing implements, and domestic pottery. It appears that the squatter occupation came to an abrupt end due to the destruction of the building. Burnt beams and mats probably from the roof of the building covered the hearths and grindstones. In front of the building had stood a stela covered with Meroitic script. The stela had been smashed and scattered across an area 6 x 10 meters.

From this temple we get a glimpse of the final period of Meroe. The city suffered from an internal decay possibly caused by the royalty and upper class moving away, leaving Meroe virtually deserted. The remnant population must have been somewhat peripheral to the main culture because they converted a temple into domestic quarters. Subsequently, if we accept the Axumite stela, King Aezanes attacked the city, and since he only had to deal with a small disorganized population he destroyed the more imposing buildings. We can see here that the actual end of Meroe as the capital city of Kush occurred some time before the destruction.

Pottery Analysis

At Meroe, my main job was studying the pottery, and I spent most days sorting rim sherds. The analysis of this research will take all summer, and is too complex to discuss in a brief report such as this. However, I was able to do some brief work on a couple of aspects of meroitic ceramics which I hope will be of interest to others.

Meroitic ceramic studies have always devoted a fair amount of analysis to the famous Meroitic white ware, but no attempt has been made to locate the clay source. The great quantity of white clay found in the building with the furnaces (see above) led us to speculate that the source must be near. To the east of the city are numerous jebels. Some of these jebels were quarried extensively for their sandstone by the Meroites. An inspection of the jebels revealed that some of the Meroitic quarries have a bed of white clay in association. Since the clay can be quarried by just knocking it, and since it breaks smooth, no quarry marks were found. Positive identification of these beds as the clay sourse for the Meroitic white ware will have to wait for thin section and X-ray diffraction studies. However, given the facts that a fair amount of Meroitic pottery was made from white clay, and that a white clay source occurs in the immediate vicinity in association with Meroitic quarries, I think it can be concluded that this is the source at least for the white wares found at Meroe. And if this proves to be the case, we will have a beginning to trace the trade relations of Meroe.

Another problem I was able to work on this season was the hand- madelwheel-made dichotomy which appears in all Meroitic studies. I have never been satisfied with this distinction for the following two reasons: 1) the term "hand-made" does not refer to any ceramic reality. All pottery is made with the hands. I guess "hand-made" means "not made on a wheel", but then the term covers so many manufacturing techniques that it is meaningless. A pottery vessel may be made on a wheel (fast or slow), with coils, with slabs, modelled (the vessel is made from a lump of clay) or in a mold. To add to the confusion these techniques are not mutually exclusive. It is quite common to have the tottom of a vessel modelled and the top coiled, or a coiled pot may be made on a wheel. 2) When working with sherds it is often impossible to identify the manufacturing technique. It is easy enough to identify a poorly finished modelled pot but impossible to identify the construction techniques of a well finished, slipped pot from just a sherd.

Previous Meroitic ceramic studies have never attempted to determine the manufacturing technique : vessels have always been viewed as either "wheel-made" or "hand-made". Hence, I had two questions in mind this season: 1) Did the Meroitic potters utilize the full range of manufacturing techniques? 2) Can the manufacturing techniques be deter- mined from archaeologically obtained pottery? Question 2 had to be answered before question 1.

A quick look at the rim sherd collection confirmed my belief that the method of manufacture is virtually impossible to determine from a sherd. A quick look at the complete pots (over 400 have been recovered from Meroe) revealed that it is extremely difficult to determine the method of manufacture from complete pots. Coil and slab joints are often completely obliterated on well finished, slipped vessels. Also it was difficult to distinguish the difference between coils and ribbing on wheel-made vessels. Ribbing can be produced on wheel made pottery either in circles, or spirals, or on the interior only, on the exterior only, or on both surfaces. All these possible variations make it diffi- cult to determine the difference between a coiled pot and a wheel-made ribbed pot.

The best way for determining whether a pot is wheel-made or coil- made is to check the wall thickness of a vessel along a horizontal plane. If the pot is wheel-made the wall thickness must be the same around the circumference, but if the pot is coil-made the wall thickness may vary from one side of the vessel to the other. However, to use this criterion a large number of broken or half pots is needed. Fortunately a number of such vessels were recovered this season.

Virtually throughout the history of Meroe broken pots were used for hearths. If the base was missing then the pot was turned up-side- down, where as if the rim was missing the base was at the bottom. In either case, anywhere from 114 to 314 of the vessel was present, and more important a single horizontal plane would be completely exposed making the determination of wall thickness an easy matter.

Over sixty pot hearths were inspected for variations in wall thickness as well as for coil or slab joints. Normally most of these vessels would have been considered "wheel-made", but here it was found that over half of the pots were made with coils and one vessel was made with slabs. Another interesting fact which came to light was that several vessels which normally would be considered a single "type" (large open mouth jars, white slip with painted wreath) actually were made by more than one construction technique: some were wheel-made and some were coi1-made .

and-madelwheel-made" should not be used as the basis for a pottery classification because: 1) The term "hand-made'' is ambiguous, 2)method of manufacture is a difficult attribute to determine, 3) the reason for manufacturing a vessel with a certain technique is unknown, and may not be significant. An accomplished potter makes vessels using a variety of construction techniques. The ceramic craftsman learns how to manipulate the clay, and then he uses the necessary techniques to obtain the desired results. It is difficult to make a large pot on a wheel because so much clay has to be "pulled" to form the walls. Also it is difficult to keep a large amount of clay at the proper degree of wetness for working. It is easier to make a large pot from coils because only the coil and the immediate working surface need be kept moist. The Meroitic potter was a craftsman and specialist in the true sense of the word, and it is possible that a single potter would be responsible for vessels made with different manufacturing techniques.

I hope future Meroitic studies will get away from the simplistic "hand-madelwheel-made" dichotomy. Meroitic vessels are more compoex than that. The Meroitic potter manipulated the clay with a variety of building techniques, and we should attempt to understand when and why certain vessels were made in certain ways. Only when we are able to answer those questions will we approach a sound understanding of Meroitic ceramics.

Zamb i a

Mr. Derricourt reports:

Samfya and Luapula Province In May 1974 we excavated two village sites at Samfya on Lake Bangweulu. Settlements of Early and Later Iron Age date were discovered, with difference in early material from both Kalambo and Chondwe traditions. Fourth and fifth century dates were obtained from two pits at one site, and a sixteenth century date from a pit at a second site. The complex range of pottery styles are still to be studied. Location analyses were carried out at the sites.

In a second season of survey in Luapula Province a number of fortified villages, and salt-working sites were examined. Itezhitezhi A first two month season of salvage survey work was carried out in July - September, 1974 in the area of the Kafue to be flooded by the new Itezhitezhi Dam. Surface survey located 147 sites, including open LSA sites, fishing camps and villages of "Middle Iron Age", and Later settlements and smelting sites. Two Kopje-top LSA camp sites, were excavated by Leslie Peters (SMU, Dalla), and we dug four - village sites, for two of which 11th century and 16th century dates have been obtained. Further excavation is planned for June - August 1975. Related historicall traditional studies and an area resourse use survey formed part of the project.