Überblick
The simultaneous introduction of pottery, iron metallurgy, agriculture and livestock farming in southern Africa is associated with the migration of the Bantu peoples. Current research challenges this simplified model of the arrival of these ‘early farming communities’ (EFC), as pottery and bones from domesticated animals have also been found in hunter-gatherer and hunter-herder contexts.
The research collaboration between Eduardo Mondlane University and the DAI began in 2016. Since then, various surveys have been carried out as part of this cooperation and a comprehensive research project has been developed in collaboration with the University of Hamburg. In May 2020, the DFG project “Bantu Arrival in Southern Africa” began, focusing on archaeometric pottery investigations and geophysical prospecting of potential open-air EFC sites.
Geomagnetics can help locate potential pit houses, accumulations of pottery and ovens in the context of the EFC. The results can be used to plan targeted excavations. The excavation results evaluate geophysical measurements and generate knowledge about early settlements in the region for the first time.
The archaeometric investigations of EFC pottery are used to examine the beginnings of pottery production in southern Africa in terms of dating and process, as well as differences in raw materials, production techniques and use.
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