Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T07:32:25.771Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Desert Migrations Project XVIII: The archaeology of the northern Fazzan. A preliminary report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2014

Stefania Merlo ,
Susanne Hakenbeck  and
Andrea Luca Balbo
Stefania Merlo
Affiliation:
School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Susanne Hakenbeck
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK
Andrea Luca Balbo
Affiliation:
Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The first reconnaissance survey of the Wadi ash-Shati, the northernmost line of the oases of the Fazzan, was carried out in 2007 and 2008. This survey aimed to locate archaeological sites of the Garamantian and historic periods in a region that, despite being on record as the most populated of the Fazzan in the historic period, was never previously systematically surveyed. Following the field survey, further examination of high-resolution satellite imagery was carried out. This allowed for the discovery of more sites and the detailed tracing of a number of cemeteries that were only partially surveyed during fieldwork. The report presents the first cross-chronological map of the Wadi ash-Shati and some interpretations of the history of occupation of the area. The future investigation of specific sites, a structured dating programme and further, more detailed, study of historic sources will provide a fuller understanding of this region.

Type
Archaeological Reports
Information
Libyan Studies , Volume 44 , 2013 , pp. 141 - 161
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Libyan Studies 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Armitage, S.J., Drake, N.A., Stokes, S., el-Hawat, A., Salem, M.J., White, K., Turner, P. and McLaren, S.J. 2007. Multiple phases of North African humidity recorded in lacustrine sediments from the Fazzan Basin, Libyan Sahara. Quaternary Geochronology 2: 181–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barich, B.E. and Baistrocchi, M. 1987. Archaeology and Environment in the Libyan Sahara: the Excavations in the Tadrart Acacus, 1978–1983 (Cambridge Monographs in African Archaeology 23/British Archaeological Reports International Series 369, Oxford.Google Scholar
Barth, H. 1857. Reisen und Entdeckungen in Nord-und Central-Afrika in den Jahren 1849 bis 1855. Gotha, Justus Perthes.Google Scholar
Bellair, P. 1946. Hydrogéologie de la cuvette fezzanaise. Mission scientifique du Fezzan (1944–1945) II. Institut de Recherches Sahariennes, Alger.Google Scholar
Clapperton, H. (2000) = Difficult and Dangerous Roads: Hugh Clapperton's Travels in Sabara and Fezzan (1822–25). Edited by Bruce-Lockhart, J. and Wright, J.. Sickle Moon Books in association with the Society for Libyan Studies, London.Google Scholar
Cremaschi, M. (ed.) 1998. Wadi Teshuinat. Palaeoenvironment and Prehistory in south-western Fezzan (Libyan Sahara). Survey and excavations in Tadrart Acacus, Erg Uan Kasa, Messak Settafet and Edeyen ofMurzuq 1990–1995. Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca, Milano.Google Scholar
Cremaschi, M. 2001. Holocene climatic changes in an archaeological landscape: the case study of Wadi Tanezzuft and its drainage basin (SW Fezzan, Libyan Sahara). Libyan Studies 32: 3–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cremaschi, M. and Di Lernia, S. 2001. Environment and settlements in the Mid-Holocene palaeo-oasis of Wadi Tanezzuft (Libyan Sahara). Antiquity 75: 815–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daniels, C.M. 1968. Garamantian excavations. Zinchecra 1966–1967. Libya Antiqua 5:113–94.Google Scholar
Daniels, C.M. 1970a. The Garamantes of Fezzan, excavations on Zinchecra 1965–1967. Antiquities Journal 50: 37–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daniels, C.M. 1970b. The Garamantes of Southern Libya. London.Google Scholar
Desio, A. 1936. Riassunto sulla costituzione geologica del Fezzan. Bollettino della Società di Geologia Italtana 55: 319–56.Google Scholar
Desio, A. 1937. Geologia e morfologia. In Sahara Italo iano. Parte prima: Fezzán e Oasi di Gat. Reale Societá Geografica Italiana, Roma: 39–94.Google Scholar
Despois, J. 1946. Mission scientifique du Fezzan (1944–1945). Geographie humaine III. Paris, Institut de Recherches Sahariennes de l'Université d'Alger.Google Scholar
Di Lernia, S., Bertolani, G.B., Merighi, F., Ricci, F.R., Manzi, G. and Cremaschi, M. 2001. Megalithic architecture and funerary practices in the late prehistory of the Wadi Tenzzuft (Libyan Sahara). Libyan Studies 32:2M8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Di Lernia, S. and Manzi, G. (eds) 2002. Sand, Stones and Bones: the Archaeology of death in the Wadi Tariez-zuft Valley: 5000-2000 BP. Arid Zone Archaeology Monographs 3/The archaeology of Libyan Sahara 1. All'rinsegna del Giglio, Firenze.Google Scholar
Domáci, L., Röhlich, P and Bosák, P 1991. Neogene to Pleistocene continental deposits in northern Fazzan and central Sirt Basin. In Salem, M.J. and Belaid, M.N. (eels), The Geology of Libya. Elsevier, Amsterdam: 1785–1801.Google Scholar
Drake, N.A., Blench, R.M., Armitage, S.J., Bristow, C.S. and White, K.H. 2010. Ancient watercourses and biogeography of the Sahara explain the peopling of the desert. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108.2: 458–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Drake, N.A., El-Hawat, A.S., Turner, E., Armitage, S.J., Salem, M.J., White, K.H. and McLaren, S., 2008. Palaeohydrology of the Fazzan Basin and surrounding regions: The last 7 million years. Palaeogeogmpby, Palaeoclimatobgy, Palaeoecobgy 2633-4:131–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Drake, N.A., White, K., Salem, M., Armitage, S.J., El-Ha-wat, A., Francke, J., Hounslow, M. and Parker, A. 2009. DMP VIII: Palaeohydrology and palaeoenvironment. Libyan Studies 40:171–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dubay, L. 1980. Ground water in Wadi Ash Shati, Fazzan – a case history of resource development. In Salem, M.J. and Busrewil, M.T. (eds), The Geology of Libya II. Academic Press, London: 611–26.Google Scholar
Gaven, C., Hillaire-Marcel, C. and Petit-Maire, N. 1981. A Pleistocene lacustrine episode in southeastern Libya. Nature 290:131–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goudarzi, G.H. and Tschoepke, R. 1968. A geological report on the iron deposit of the Shati valley area of Fezzan, Kingdom of Libya. Libyan Ministry Industry Geological Bulletin 7.Google Scholar
Goudarzi, G.H. 1970. Geology and mineral resources of Libya - a reconnaissance. Geological Survey Professional Paper 660. US Department of State, Washington.Google Scholar
Goudarzi, G.H. 1971. Geology of the Shati valley area iron deposit, Fezzan, Libyan Arab Republic. In Gray, C. (ed.), First Symposium on the Geology of Libya. Faculty of Science, University of Libya, Tripoli.Google Scholar
Graziosi, P. 1937. Preistoria. In Il Sabara Italiano. Parte Prima: Fezzán e Oasi di Gat. Reale Società Geografica Italiana, Roma: 241–74.Google Scholar
Graziosi, P. 1942. L'arte rupestre della Libia. Edizioni della Mostra d'Oltremare, Napoli.Google Scholar
Hornemann, K, and Laing, A.G. (1964) = Missions to the Niger I. The Journal of Friedrich Hornemann's Travels from Cairo to Murzuk in the years 1797–98 and The Letters of Alexander Gordon Laing 1824–26. Edited by Bovill, E.W.. The Hakluyc Society, Second Series no. 123. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Le Quellec, J.-L. 1984. Gravures rupestres inédites à Gûr el-Lesât (Wâdi esh-Shâti) Fezzan septentrional (Libye). Groupe Vendéen d'Etudes Préhistoriques 12: 21–41.Google Scholar
Le Quellec, J.-L. 1987a. L'art rupestre du Fezzan septentrional (Libye): Widyan Zreda et Tamt (Wâdi esh-Shâti). British Archaeological Reports International Series 365, Oxford.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Le Quellec, J.-L. 1987b. Les gravures rupestres de Gârat el-Hara, Wâdi esh-Shâti, Libye. Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française 84.6:186–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Le Quellec, J.-L. 1989. Nouveaux documents rupestres fezzanais: les sites de eci-Debuât et du Jebel Lijêf (Région du Shati, Libye). Bulletin de la Société Préhistorique Française 86.4:114–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liverani, M. (ed.) 2006. Agbram Nadarif. A Garantano tian citadel in the Wadi Tannezzuft. All'Insegna del Giglio, Firenze.Google Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 1997. The Fezzan Project 1997: methodologies and results of the first season. Libyan Studies 28:11–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 1998. The Fezzan Project 1998: prelimio nary report on the second season of work. Libyan Studies 29:115–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 1999. The Fezzan Project 1999: preliminary report on the third season of work. Libyan Studies 30:129–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 2000. The Fezzan Project 2000: prelimi nary report on the fourth season of work. Libyan Studies 31: 103–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 2001. The Fezzan Project 2001: prelimi-naryreport on the fifth season of work. Libyan Studies 32:133–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J. 2003 (ed.). The archaeology of Fazzān, Volume 1 Synthesis. London: Society for Ubyan Studies.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J., Daniels, C.M., Dore, J.N., Edwards, D. and Hawthorne, J.W.J. 2007a. The Archaeology of Fazzān. Site Gazetteer, Pottery and Other Survey Finds 2. The Department of Antiquities, Tripoli and the Society of Libyan Studies, London.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J.Mirazón Lahr, M., Armitage, S.J., Barton, H., Dore, J.N., Drake, N.A., Foley, R., Merlo, S., Salem, M.J., Stock, J. and White, K. 2007b. Desert Migrations: people, environment and culture in the Libyan Sahara. Libyan Studies 38:115–56.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mattingly, D.J., Daniels, C.M., Dore, J.N., Edwards, D.N. and Hawthorne, J.W J. 2010. The Archaeology of Fazzan. Volume 3, Excavations carried out by C.M. Daniels, London, The Society for Libyan Studies.Google Scholar
Merlo, S., Hakenbeck, S.E. and Balbo, A. 2008. DMP IV: 2008 fieldwork on historic settlement in the Wadi ash-Shati and the Dawada lake villages. Libyan Studies 39: 295–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mirazón Lahr, M., Foley, R., Armitage, S.J., Barton, H., Crivellaro, F., Drake, N.A., Hounslow, M., Maher, L., Mattingly, D. J., Salem, M.J., Stock, J. and White, K. 2008. DMP III: Pleistocene and Holocene palaeoen-vironments and prehistoric occupation of Fazzan, Libyan Sahara. Libyan Studies 39:1–32.Google Scholar
Muller-Feuga, R. 1954. Contribution à l'étude de la géoo logie de la pétrographie et des ressources hydrauliques et minérales du Fezzan. Imprimerie officielle de ia Tunisie, Tunis.Google Scholar
Petit-Maire, N., Delibrias, G.G. and Gaven, C. 1980a. Pleistocene lakes in che Shati area, Fezzan. Palaeo oecology of Africa and the surrounding Islands 12: 289-95.Google Scholar
Petit-Maire, N., Casta, L., Delibrias, G., Gaven, C. and Testud, A.M. 1980b. Preliminary data on quaternary paleolacustrine deposits in che Wadi ash Shati area, Libya. In Salem, M. J. and Busrewil, M.T. (eds), The Geology of Libya III. Academic Press, London: 797–807.Google Scholar
Pliez, O. 2004. La fin de l'Etat demiurge? Les nouvelles facettes de l'urbain dans le Sahara libyen. Autrepart 31: 59–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rohlfs, G. 1868. Gerhard Rohlfs' Reise durch Nord-Afrika vom Mittelländischen Meere bis zum Busen von Guinea, 1865 bis 1867. 1. Hälfte, Von Tripoli nach Kuka (Fesan, Sahara, Bomu). Ergänzungsheft zu Petermani's geographischen Mittheilungen 25. Justus Perthes, Gotha.Google Scholar
Scann, E. 1934. Le oasi del Fezzan. Ricerche e osservazio oni di geografia umana. Zanichelli, Bologna.Google Scholar
Scarin, E. 1937. Descrizione delle oasi e gruppi di oasi. In Il Sahara Italiano. Parte prima: Fezzán e Oasi di Gat. Reale Società Geografica Italiana, Roma: 603–44.Google Scholar
Steny, M. and Mattingly, D.J. 2011. DMPXIII: reconnaissance survey of archaeological sites in the Murzuq area. Libyan Studies 42:103–16.Google Scholar
Soulié-Märsche, I. 2008. Charophytes, indicators for low salinity phases in North African Sebkhet. Journal of African Earth Sciences 51: 69–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turk, T.M., Doughri, A.K. and Banerjee, S. 1980. A review of the recent investigation on the Wadi ash Shati iron ore deposits, Northern Fazzan, Libya. In Salem, M.J. and Busrewil, M.T. (eds), The Geology of Libya III. Academic Press, London: 1019–43.Google Scholar
Wilson, A. and Mattingly, D.J. 2003. Irrigation technologies: foggaras, wells and field systems. In Mattingly, D.J. (edo), The Archaeology of Fazzan. Vol. I Synthesis. Society for Libyan Studies, London: 235–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar