Sample name: Tongo Maaré Diabal (Horizon 3)

Reference: N. Gestrich and K. C. MacDonald. 2018. On the margins of Ghana and Kawkaw: four seasons of excavation at Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), Mali. Journal of African Archaeology 16(1):1-30 [ER 3767]

Lithology: not described

Taphonomic context: human accumulation,settlement

Archaeology: buildings,ceramics,hearths,metal tools,stone tools,other artifacts,other structures

Habitat comments: "Tongo Maaré Diabal is a settlement mound, 9 ha in extent, and approximately 3 to 4.5 m in elevation above the surrounding plain. The site is at a crossroads on land routes connecting Timbuktu and Gao to the Malian interior, as well as north-western Burkina Faso to the Niger Bend. The sequence of archaeological deposits contains five horizons of superimposed earthen buildings. The occupation appears to have been continuous from the site’s foundation to its abandonment".
"Horizon 3 marks the beginning of nearly three centuries of relative continuity in the spatial layout of the excavated area. To the north, a clear zone of fine layers of burnt earth, charcoal and working slag demarcates an area of iron working. Dense evidence for metallurgy remains in the northern concession throughout the rest of the sequence. At first the northern structures established in Horizon 2 endure, although after a brief period they are removed and the space is left open".
"The first finds of terracotta drainpipes were found in layers of wall collapse. A carbonised mat was also found accompanied by a second finer textile fragment, both made of Hibiscus fibre. In the immediate vicinity were fragments of raw kaolinite, polished red ochre, a substantial lump of raw clay, and a total of nine intact vessels, suggesting that this area was a potter’s workshop. Two technically and visually distinctive pottery traditions occurred at the site from the beginning of its occupation. Large stone grinding basins were found in some rooms, along with frequent finds of hand grinders throughout the sequence, evidencing the processing of grains in and around the buildings".

Life forms: carnivores,rodents,ungulates,birds,fishes

Sampling methods: quarry,screenwash

Sample size: 84 specimens

Years: 1993, 1995, 1996, 2010

Sampling comments: "In 1993, 1995 and 1996 two 4 x 4 m units were excavated, termed A and B, joined by a 1 x 4 m baulk (C). This area was excavated to a maximum depth of 4 m before reaching sterile soil. A further 4 x 4 m unit (D) located on the western part of the site, was only excavated to a depth of 1.3 m".
"The main exposure of the 2010 excavations was positioned directly adjacent to units A, B and C. An initial 9 x 5 m trench (unit E) was extended to the northwest by a further 7 x 5 m area (unit F) for a total excavated area of 125 m2 (Exposure 1). In these two units, only the uppermost occupation horizon was excavated, 50 to 80 cm below the surface. A 7 x 4 m unit (Exposure 2) was also excavated on the eastern part of the site".

Sample number: 4032

Contributor: Benjamin Carter

Enterer: Benjamin Carter

Created: 2022-10-27 13:17:22

Modified: 2023-05-30 02:58:02