Trade in the Ancient Sahara and Beyond (Trans-Saharan Archaeology)

By: V. Leitch and A. Cuénod and M. Sterry and F. Cole and D. J. Mattingly and C. N. Duckworth

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Synopsis: Saharan trade has been much debated in modern times, but the main focus of interest remains the medieval and early modern periods, for which more abundant written sources survive. The pre-Islamic origins of Trans-Saharan trade have been hotly contested over the years, mainly due to a lack of evidence. Many of the key commodities of trade are largely invisible archaeologically, being either of high value like gold and ivory, or organic like slaves and textiles or consumable commodities like salt. However, new research on the Libyan people known as the Garamantes and on their trading partners in the Sudan and Mediterranean Africa requires us to revise our views substantially. In this volume experts re-assess the evidence for a range of goods, including beads, textiles, metalwork and glass, and use it to paint a much more dynamic picture, demonstrating that the pre-Islamic Sahara was a more connected region than previously thought. Re-unites separate traditions of archaeological and historical study of the Sahara and its neighbouring regions. Proposes a new model of origins of Saharan trade networks. Presents new scientific evidence and techniques that may help resolve questions about provenance and directionality of trade in ancient Sahara.