Papers by Nikolas Gestrich
African Archaeological Review, 2023
The Tichitt culture of the Ceramic Late Stone Age is known for its large settlement sites, built ... more The Tichitt culture of the Ceramic Late Stone Age is known for its large settlement sites, built from dry stone walls. It is centered on the cliffs of southeastern Mauritania, but its links to the Middle Niger and the later urban developments there have long been a topic of research. This article adds a further piece of evidence linking the two regions. The available evidence for a set of stone-walled features is presented, around 300 sites of varying sizes and complexity. They lie on and around the sandstone massifs of the Malian Lakes Region. The evidence is so far tentative as no dating or material culture is available, but the sites are presented as a research priority for the future. Résumé La culture Néolithique de Tichitt est connue pour ses grands sites d'habitat, construits à partir de murs de pierres sèches. Elle est centrée sur les falaises du sud-est de la Mauritanie, mais ses liens avec le Moyen Niger et les développements urbains ultérieurs dans cette région font depuis longtemps l'objet les sites sont présentés comme étant une priorité de recherche pour l'avenir.
Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History, 2019
The Empire of Ghana is one of the earliest known political formations in West Africa. Within the ... more The Empire of Ghana is one of the earliest known political formations in West Africa. Within the context of a growing trans-Saharan trade, Arabic sources begin to mention “Ghāna,” the name of a ruler as well as of the city or country he ruled, in the 9th century. Repeatedly named in connection with fabulous riches in gold, Ghāna had acquired a preeminent role in the western Sahel and was a leader among a large group of smaller polities. Ghāna’s influence waned, and by the mid-14th century its ruler had become subordinate to the Empire of Mali. Over the course of a complex history of research, the Empire of Ghana became equated with the Soninké people’s legend of Wagadu and the archaeological site of Kumbi Saleh in southern Mauritania was identified as its capital. Yet between historical sources, oral traditions, and archaeological finds, little is known with certainty about the Empire of Ghana. Most questions on this early West African empire remain unanswered, including its locatio...
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021
Recent archaeobotanical analysis revealed that the botanical remains from the site of Tongo Maaré... more Recent archaeobotanical analysis revealed that the botanical remains from the site of Tongo Maaré Diabal (Mali) are composed primarily of pearl millet remains (up to 85%). Contemporaneous West African sites (500-1200 Cal AD) usually display more diverse patterns, especially by the end of this period. Indeed, contemporary urban sites of the West African Sahel often comprise combined and diversified farming systems of millet (Pennisetum glaucum), African rice (Oryza glaberrima), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), Echinochloa sp. and fonio (Digitatia exilis). This article seeks to explain the near-exclusive focus of Tongo Maaré Diabal's agricultural economy on millet, particularly with regard to the site's status as a settlement of iron workers.
African Archaeological Review, 2021
Kola nut (Cola cf. nitida) and Safou fruit (Dacryodes edulis) remains have been discovered in ele... more Kola nut (Cola cf. nitida) and Safou fruit (Dacryodes edulis) remains have been discovered in eleventh-to fourteenth-century archaeological contexts at Togu Missiri near Ségou in Mali. These remains are evidence of early trade in perishable foodstuffs from the West African forest zone into the Middle Niger region. On the basis of these finds, this paper argues that long-distance trade links were well
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 0067270x 2013 827848, Aug 28, 2013
Journal of African Archaeology, 2014
Journal of African Archaeology, 2014
Oxford Research Encyclopaedia of African History, 2019
The Empire of Ghana is one of the earliest known political formations in West Africa. Within the ... more The Empire of Ghana is one of the earliest known political formations in West Africa. Within the context of a growing trans-Saharan trade, Arabic sources begin to mention “Ghāna,” the name of a ruler as well as of the city or country he ruled, in the 9th century. Repeatedly named in connection with fabulous riches in gold, Ghāna had acquired a preeminent role in the western Sahel and was a leader among a large group of smaller polities. Ghāna’s influence waned, and by the mid-14th century its ruler had become subordinate to the Empire of Mali. Over the course of a complex history of research, the Empire of Ghana became equated with the Soninké people’s legend of Wagadu and the archaeological site of Kumbi Saleh in southern Mauritania was identified as its capital. Yet between historical sources, oral traditions, and archaeological finds, little is known with certainty about the Empire of Ghana. Most questions on this early West African empire remain unanswered, including its location, development, the nature and extent of its rule, and the circumstances of its demise.
Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2019
The nitrogen isotope compositions of charred wheat and barley grains reflect manuring intensity a... more The nitrogen isotope compositions of charred wheat and barley grains reflect manuring intensity and have been used to
reconstruct past manuring practices at archaeological sites across Europe and western Asia. To assess whether this analytical
method can be applied to a staple crop in the West African Sahel, the nitrogen isotope values of Pennisetum glaucum
grains in this region were determined and the effect of charring ascertained. Pennisetum glaucum ears were collected from
fields in northeast Senegal, where the fertilisation histories of the plots (manure and/or household waste) were known. The
nitrogen isotope values of these millet grains provide an insight into the values to expect for P. glaucum grains grown with
low to moderate addition of manure/household waste in a semi-arid climate. Charring of P. glaucum grains by heating at
215–260 °C for 4–24 h increases their nitrogen isotope values by a maximum of 0.34‰. In light of these modern data, the
nitrogen isotope values of millet grains recovered from the archaeological settlement mound of Tongo Maaré Diabal, Mali,
can be interpreted as evidence for modest levels of manure/household waste input throughout the occupation of the site
from cal ad 500–1150. This study demonstrates the potential for nitrogen isotope values of P. glaucum grains to shed light
on past farming practices in West Africa.
Lisa Regazzoni (ed.)"Schriftlose Vergangenheiten. Geschichtsschreibung an ihrer Grenze - von der Frühen Neuzeit bis in die Gegenwart.", 2018
Research on oral traditions, archaeology, and history surrounding the legend of Ta Masa in the vi... more Research on oral traditions, archaeology, and history surrounding the legend of Ta Masa in the village of Marakaduguba, Ségou, Mali.
In: Green, Toby, and Benedetta Rossi (eds.) Landscapes, Sources and Intellectual Projects of the ... more In: Green, Toby, and Benedetta Rossi (eds.) Landscapes, Sources and Intellectual Projects of the West African Past. Essays in Honour of Paulo Fernando de Moraes Farias. Leiden: Brill. p.63-87
This article summarises the results of four seasons of excavation
at Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1... more This article summarises the results of four seasons of excavation
at Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), near Douentza, Mali. Deep
stratigraphic excavations were directed by MacDonald and
Togola in 1993, 1995 and by MacDonald in 1996. Complementary,
large exposure excavations of the abandonment layer were un-
dertaken by Gestrich in 2010. The combined excavation results
speak to topics of craft specialisation, trade, and social organ-
isation. They provide evidence of a specialised blacksmithing
community situated at the margins of early Middle Niger and
Niger Bend statehood and urbanisation.
Le présent article porte sur les résultats de quatre saisons de
fouilles sur le site de Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), non loin
de la ville de Douentza au Mali. Des fouilles stratigraphiques en
profondeur ont été réalisées par MacDonald et Togola en 1993
et 1995 ; et par MacDonald en 1996. Des fouilles complémen-
taires du dernier horizon d’occupation ont été réalisées sur une
grande surface par Gestrich en 2010. Les résultats de ces cam-
pagnes portent sur des thèmes de la spécialisation artisanale,
du commerce et de l’organisation sociale. Ils nous permettent
de décrire une communauté des métallurgistes spécialisées,
située en marges des anciens développements étatiques et ur-
bains du Moyen Niger et de la Boucle du Niger.
Talks by Nikolas Gestrich
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Papers by Nikolas Gestrich
reconstruct past manuring practices at archaeological sites across Europe and western Asia. To assess whether this analytical
method can be applied to a staple crop in the West African Sahel, the nitrogen isotope values of Pennisetum glaucum
grains in this region were determined and the effect of charring ascertained. Pennisetum glaucum ears were collected from
fields in northeast Senegal, where the fertilisation histories of the plots (manure and/or household waste) were known. The
nitrogen isotope values of these millet grains provide an insight into the values to expect for P. glaucum grains grown with
low to moderate addition of manure/household waste in a semi-arid climate. Charring of P. glaucum grains by heating at
215–260 °C for 4–24 h increases their nitrogen isotope values by a maximum of 0.34‰. In light of these modern data, the
nitrogen isotope values of millet grains recovered from the archaeological settlement mound of Tongo Maaré Diabal, Mali,
can be interpreted as evidence for modest levels of manure/household waste input throughout the occupation of the site
from cal ad 500–1150. This study demonstrates the potential for nitrogen isotope values of P. glaucum grains to shed light
on past farming practices in West Africa.
at Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), near Douentza, Mali. Deep
stratigraphic excavations were directed by MacDonald and
Togola in 1993, 1995 and by MacDonald in 1996. Complementary,
large exposure excavations of the abandonment layer were un-
dertaken by Gestrich in 2010. The combined excavation results
speak to topics of craft specialisation, trade, and social organ-
isation. They provide evidence of a specialised blacksmithing
community situated at the margins of early Middle Niger and
Niger Bend statehood and urbanisation.
Le présent article porte sur les résultats de quatre saisons de
fouilles sur le site de Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), non loin
de la ville de Douentza au Mali. Des fouilles stratigraphiques en
profondeur ont été réalisées par MacDonald et Togola en 1993
et 1995 ; et par MacDonald en 1996. Des fouilles complémen-
taires du dernier horizon d’occupation ont été réalisées sur une
grande surface par Gestrich en 2010. Les résultats de ces cam-
pagnes portent sur des thèmes de la spécialisation artisanale,
du commerce et de l’organisation sociale. Ils nous permettent
de décrire une communauté des métallurgistes spécialisées,
située en marges des anciens développements étatiques et ur-
bains du Moyen Niger et de la Boucle du Niger.
Talks by Nikolas Gestrich
reconstruct past manuring practices at archaeological sites across Europe and western Asia. To assess whether this analytical
method can be applied to a staple crop in the West African Sahel, the nitrogen isotope values of Pennisetum glaucum
grains in this region were determined and the effect of charring ascertained. Pennisetum glaucum ears were collected from
fields in northeast Senegal, where the fertilisation histories of the plots (manure and/or household waste) were known. The
nitrogen isotope values of these millet grains provide an insight into the values to expect for P. glaucum grains grown with
low to moderate addition of manure/household waste in a semi-arid climate. Charring of P. glaucum grains by heating at
215–260 °C for 4–24 h increases their nitrogen isotope values by a maximum of 0.34‰. In light of these modern data, the
nitrogen isotope values of millet grains recovered from the archaeological settlement mound of Tongo Maaré Diabal, Mali,
can be interpreted as evidence for modest levels of manure/household waste input throughout the occupation of the site
from cal ad 500–1150. This study demonstrates the potential for nitrogen isotope values of P. glaucum grains to shed light
on past farming practices in West Africa.
at Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), near Douentza, Mali. Deep
stratigraphic excavations were directed by MacDonald and
Togola in 1993, 1995 and by MacDonald in 1996. Complementary,
large exposure excavations of the abandonment layer were un-
dertaken by Gestrich in 2010. The combined excavation results
speak to topics of craft specialisation, trade, and social organ-
isation. They provide evidence of a specialised blacksmithing
community situated at the margins of early Middle Niger and
Niger Bend statehood and urbanisation.
Le présent article porte sur les résultats de quatre saisons de
fouilles sur le site de Tongo Maaré Diabal (AD 500-1150), non loin
de la ville de Douentza au Mali. Des fouilles stratigraphiques en
profondeur ont été réalisées par MacDonald et Togola en 1993
et 1995 ; et par MacDonald en 1996. Des fouilles complémen-
taires du dernier horizon d’occupation ont été réalisées sur une
grande surface par Gestrich en 2010. Les résultats de ces cam-
pagnes portent sur des thèmes de la spécialisation artisanale,
du commerce et de l’organisation sociale. Ils nous permettent
de décrire une communauté des métallurgistes spécialisées,
située en marges des anciens développements étatiques et ur-
bains du Moyen Niger et de la Boucle du Niger.