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Did specialized pastoralism develop differently in Africa than in the Near East? An example from the West African Sahel

Journal Contribution - Journal Article

Previous studies have highlighted the differences between Africa and the Near East with regard to the earliest phases of food production. However, later innovations and changes, which constantly reshaped food production, have received much less attention. In an attempt to fill this lacuna, at least partially, this paper focuses on the emergence of specialized pastoralism. Through a diachronic overview of the appearance of the characteristics shared by most present-day specialized pastoral groups in Africa and the Near East, it is clear that only at a late date could this mode of livelihood have taken its present shape. This should serve as a warning that projections of recent pastoral lifestyles back in time should be made with caution. It appears that both Africa and the Near East went through two stages of development: a first stage with general food economies, and a second phase of specialization. Archaeo(zoo)logical evidence from the Sahel in Nigeria and Burkina Faso illustrates these developments on a more local scale. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
Journal: Journal of World Prehistory
ISSN: 0892-7537
Issue: 2
Volume: 23
Pages: 43 - 77
Publication year:2010
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:10
Authors from:Higher Education