Aspects of early West African trade

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3919358
AutoresMerrick Posnansky (University of Ghana, autor correspondente)
Ano1973
Volume5
Fascículo2
Páginas149-162
Data de publicação1973-10-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoWorld Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00438243.1973.9979562
OpenAlexW2018208577
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas40
Referências citadas10

The evidence for early West African trade is reviewed. The development of trade is regarded as gradual from c. 1000 B.C. to c. A.D. 750. The early exploitation of gold resources was reflected in the affluence of the Senegambian and upper Niger regions with their large tumuli and megaliths. Reservations are expressed about the ninth‐century date proposed for Igbo Ukwu. A major expansion of trade occurred in the fourteenth century and was due to the exploitation of Ghanaian gold. Contacts between Mali and Ghana led to the development of a sophisticated brass technology and the use of Islamic weighting system amongst the Akan peoples. The results of excavations at the market town of Begho in Ghana, where the main settlement dates from A.D. 1350–1725, are reviewed. The evidence for local trade in pottery is discussed and the importance of intensive work on traditional potters is stressed

Ancient history · Archaeology · Business · Geography · Igbo · Islam · Megalith · Ninth · Pottery · Settlement (finance · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Colonialism, slavery, and trade · History · Language, Linguistics, Cultural Analysis