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Reinvestigation of Kintampo 6 rock shelter, Ghana: implications for the nature of culture change

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Abstract

The excavations of 1982 at Kintampo rock shelter no. 6 are described and the results correlated with those of Flight (1976). The sequence demonstrates an overlap between the Punpun and Kintampo culture ceramic traditions and a progressive introduction of diagnostically Kintampo traits. Decreasing residential mobility is also indicated. Analysis of the organic remains, while casting doubt on earlier identifications of domesticBos and cultivated cowpea, suggests progressive clearing of the forest such as would have occurred with horticulture and the confirmed herding of an ovicaprid.

Earlier interpretations of Kintampo culture origins are reviewed in the light of the new evidence and all available radiocarbon dates, and it is tentatively concluded that the culture emerged in central Ghana through coalescence of autochthonous and northern elements.

Résumé

Les fouilles de 1982 à l'abri-sous-roche Kintampo-6 sont décrites et les résultats comparés à ceux de Flight (1976). La séquence met en évidence un chevauchement des traditions céramiques Punpun et Kintampo et l'introduction progressive des traits diagnostiques de la civilisation Kintampo. Une réduction de la mobilité résidentielle est aussi indiquée. L'analyse des restes organiques, quoique mettant en doute l'identification jadis proposée deBos domestique et deVigna unguiculata, donne lieu à croire à une déforestation en relation avec l'horticulture et l'élevage confirmé d'ovicapridés.

Les interprétations antérieures des origines de la civilisation Kintampo sont ré-évaluées d'après ces nouvelles données et toutes les datations14C disponibles pour cette période. La thèse soutenue est que cette civilisation a été constituée au Ghana central à partir d'une fusion d'éléments culturels autochthones et septentrionaux.

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  1. Ann Brower Stahl
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Stahl, A.B. Reinvestigation of Kintampo 6 rock shelter, Ghana: implications for the nature of culture change. Afr Archaeol Rev 3, 117–150 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01117457

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