Essouk-Tadmekka presents the first archaeological exploration of one of the most important market towns on the trans-Saharan camel-caravan routes in the early Islamic period, supplying West African gold, slaves, and ivory to the Mediterranean world. Excavation of Essouk-Tadmekka’s ruins – in Saharan West Africa – has enabled Sam Nixon and a team of scholars to better understand this town described by early Arabic geographers, therein providing insights into such wider questions as the origins of trans-Saharan trade, the commerce in gold, and the arrival of Islamic culture in West Africa. This window into the earliest period of trans-Saharan exchange includes illustration of some of the best-preserved ruins along the camel-caravan routes, the earliest-known Arabic writing in West Africa, and rare gold-working remains.
Contributors are: Stephanie Black, Sophie Desrosiers, Laure Dussubieux, Thomas Fenn, Dorian Fuller, James Lankton, Kevin MacDonald, Paulo de Moraes Farias, Mary-Anne Murray, Sam Nixon, Thilo Rehren, Peter Robertshaw, Jane Sidell, and Benoit Suzanne.
Sam Nixon (Ph.D. 2008, UCL) is a Senior Research Associate at the University of East Anglia. He has produced various publications on African archaeology and history and is currently writing a monograph on early trans-Saharan trade with Thames & Hudson, entitled The Gold Route.
'In the last few years, there have been a series of major studies on centres across the Sahara and this volume sits comfortably alongside these. It is exemplary of a modern excavation with lavish illustration in colour and discussion throughout. It is to be hoped that the opportunities for new directions in studying the archaeology of the Sahara during the historic periods will now be realised'. - Martin Sterry, University of Durham, in: Libyan Studies 49 (2018)
'In summary, the book is a great success. Although essentially an archaeological monograph, its compelling argument transcends the presentation of results and even the reconstruction of the cultural history of Essouk-Tadmekka itself to offer important and often revealing reflections on trans-Saharan commerce (including the gold trade), Islam in West Africa, Tuareg culture and history, and the tramission of technologies and ideas. It is therefore highly recommended to scholars and students interested in the history and archaeology of West Africa and of the Islamic world system in the Middle Ages'. - José C. Carvajal López, University of Leicester, in: Medieval Archaeology 62/2 (2018)
Preface Acknowledgements
Part 1: Introduction
1 Overview Sam Nixon
2 An Unexplored Market Town of the Early Trans-Saharan Trade Sam Nixon
3 The Essouk-Tadmekka Locality: Environment and Human Geography Sam Nixon
Part 2: Site Overview and Surface Remains
4 The Essouk-Tadmekka Ruins and Their Prospection Sam Nixon
5 Arabic and Tifinagh Inscriptions Paulo Fernando de Moraes Farias
Part 3: Excavations and Architecture
6 Excavation Programme and Methods Sam Nixon
7 Excavations in the Mosque Quarter (Unit Ek-A) Sam Nixon
8 Excavations Near the Eastern Cliffs (Unit Ek-B) Sam Nixon
9 Excavations on the Island (Unit Ek-C) Sam Nixon
10 Chronology Sam Nixon
11 Architecture Sam Nixon and Benoit Suzanne
Part 4: Finds
12 Pottery Sam Nixon and Kevin MacDonald
13 Glass Vessels Sam Nixon, James Lankton and Laure Dussubieux
14 Beads James Lankton, Sam Nixon, Peter Robertshaw, and Laure Dussubieux
15 Gold Processing Remains Sam Nixon and Thilo Rehren
16 Crucible-Steel Making and Other Metalworking Remains Thilo Rehren and Sam Nixon
17 Coins and Other Metal Artefacts Sam Nixon
18 Miscellaneous Material Culture Sam Nixon
19 Eggshell Jane Sidell
20 Faunal Remains Kevin MacDonald
21 Plant Remains Dorian Fuller, Mary-Anne Murray and Sam Nixon
Part 5: Synthesis and Discussion
22 Excavated Sequence Sam Nixon
23 A New Cultural History of Essouk-Tadmekka Sam Nixon
24 Debating trans-Saharan Commerce and Culture Sam Nixon
Conclusion
Appendices
A Early Arabic Documentary Records of Tadmekka Sam Nixon
B Plans of Essouk-Tadmekka Town Ruins and Cemeteries Benoit Suzanne
C Essouk Arabic Non-Funerary Inscriptions, New (Previously Unpublished) Series Paulo Fernando de Moraes Farias
D Context Descriptions for Excavation Units Sam Nixon
E Pottery Analysis Tables And Additional Illustrative Materials Sam Nixon and Kevin MacDonald
F Glass Vessels Tables Sam Nixon and James Lankton
G Glass Bead Tables Sam Nixon and James Lankton
H Vessel and Bead Glass Chemical Compositional Analysis James Lankton, Peter Robertshaw, Laure Dussubieux, and Sam Nixon
I Archaeometallurgical Waste Thilo Rehren
J Digital X-ray Imaging and Conservation Treatment of Silver Coins and Related Finds Stephanie Black
K Preliminary Chemical and Technical Analyses of Essouk Metal Artefacts Tom Fenn, Thilo Rehren and Laure Dussubieux
L Note sur le damas et sur le «voile» de soie d’Essouk-Tadmekka Sophie Desrosiers
M Faunal Remains Tables Kevin MacDonald
N Species Counts of Plant Remains Dorian Fuller, Mary-Anne Murray and Sam Nixon Bibliography Index
All interested in early trans-Saharan trade, medieval West Africa, and the early Islamic cultures of West Africa, as well as those more broadly interested in pre-colonial African history and archaeology.