Of donkeys and sheep
Report about an archaeozoological workshop held in Khartoum in February 2023.
Author: Johanna Sigl
New paper on human impact on Tigray’s landscape
The spatial relation between gully erosion and distance to settlements and footpaths, as typical areas of human interaction, with the natural environment in rural African areas is investigated.
‘Entangled Africa’ researchers appointed directors of German Archaeological Institute departments
Two new directors of the DAI's departments come from the ranks of the SPP: Jörg Linstädter will succeed Burkhard Vogt at the KAAK in October 2021; Dietrich Raue will succeed Stephan Seidlmayer at the DAI Cairo starting in October 2022.
New publication by ‘Entangled Africa’ project ‘Routes of interaction’
The cost of human movement, whether expressed in time, effort, or distance, is a function of natural and human related variables. At the same time, human movement itself, whether on land, air or sea, causes environmental cost. We are looking into the long-term environmental relationship of this interplay. [...]
‘Entangled Africa’ Coordinator co-organizes EAA session 402
Environmental change either as a result of human impact or climate change has a long history in the Nile valley. From the much discussed Old Kingdom collapse to a variety of apparently catastrophic events and more nuanced incremental change, the archaeological record, with unique information from organic remains, resulting from optimal preservation, provides a detailed body of data. [...]
Publication: Fired brick élite locations in Kanem, Chad
One of the most intriguing problems concerning the Kanem-Borno sultanate of the central Sahel between the eighth and nineteenth centuries AD concerns its early intra-African connections. Apart from historically documented linkages with North and parts of West Africa, were there trade and other contacts with eastern regions such as Darfur, the Middle Nile Valley and areas beyond prior to the fifteenth century? [...]
Researching pixels and pollen
Africa is an adaptable continent that has always been subject to strong climatic and economic changes – and still is today. From an archaeological perspective, Africa is a hotspot for research into environmental and human history. [...]
Publication: Archaeological research in Tié, Chad
Presently, the most conspicuous material vestiges known are the ruins of fired-brick elite locations, some of which are demonstrably associated with the Kanem-Borno Sultanate and dated to the period 11th-14th centuries AD. Amongst those, the place named Tié stands out due to a number of particular attributes. [...]
The young scientists of the SPP ‘Entangled Africa’
They are entrusted with routine work or are working on their academic degrees; you can find them in laboratories, on excavations and in the library: the young scientists of the SPP “Entangled Africa” are an essential part of the projects. The program offers them the opportunity to gain insight into methods of the diverse scientific disciplines, to exchange ideas across continents, educational backgrounds and educational levels. [...]
Publication: Studying Northern Kordofan by remote sensing
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned work of the InterLINK project in North Kordofan had to be spontaneously cancelled in spring 2020. Instead, research focused on remote sensing of the area. [...]