UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

West Africa before the seventh century
(iii) The third group of industries to the south, represented
principally by Nok and Kintamp, is virtually devoid of blades,
geometrical microliths and projectiles, but is rich in polished and
ground stone tools. They are characterized by relatively larger
and apparently more permanent settlements.
THE TILEMSI VALLEY COMPLEXES
Evidence from the Karkarichinkat sites 16 shows that during at least the
later part of the most recent wet phase of the Sahara (—2000 to —1300),
this area was inhabited by pastoral peoples with a way of life not very
dissimilar from that of some present-day semi-nomadic pastoralists such
as the Nuer of the Sudan 17 and the Fulani of West Africa. 18 The
Karkarichinkat South sites resemble fishing and herding camps, as witness
the abundance of bivalve shells, fishbones and Bos remains with few or
no stone artefacts except fish-hooks. In contrast the abundance of pottery,
clay figurines of animals and stone artefacts (especially a great variety of
FIG. 24.4 The Tichitt region
16. A. B. Smith, pp. 33-55.
17. E. E. Evans-Pritchard, 1940.
18. M. Dupire, 1962.
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