Archaeological and Paleoenvironmental Remains from the Site SP 07 on Sabaloka East (Central Sudan)

This report presents an analysis of archaeological and paleoenvironmental remains recovered from site SP 07 in the eastern Sabaloka region of Sudan. The recovered archaeological artefacts suggest settlement during both the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. Analysis of the faunal assemblage reveals a diverse range of species, including mammals (40 %), reptiles (6 %), birds (7 %), fish (23 %), molluscs (19 %), and a proportion of unidentified bone fragments (5 %). Furthermore, new radiocarbon (C14) dating obtained from two shell samples – one from Pila werni (operculum) and another from Limicolaria cailliaudia – provide chronological context. Sample No. 1 yielded a date of 7850±50 BP (ca. 6836–6570 cal BCE), while Sample No. 2 dates to 4935±35 BP (3781–3644 cal BCE). These data suggest a paleoenvironment characterised by forested and grassy, open savannah habitats. The availability of these diverse resources facilitated the development and adoption of a diffuse economy in eastern Sabaloka, Central Sudan, from the early 7th to the early 4th millennium cal BCE

Archaeology · Geography · Geology