ENTANGLED AFRICA
Intra-African Relations Between Rain Forest and Mediterranean from Around 4,000 BCE to 1,500 CE
Published on 6. May 2026
Book
Hardback
292 pages
978-3-7520-0939-2 (ISBN)
Description
This volume presents the results of Entangled Africa (SPP 2143), a Priority Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG) coordinated by the German Archaeological Institute (DAI). Between 2018 and 2024, 13 interdisciplinary projects
investigated intra-African interactions north of the equator between 4,000 BCE and 500 CE, a period marked by signifi cant environmental, demographic, and socio-political transformations. The contributions highlight archaeological, linguistic, and environmental perspectives on the movement of people, goods, and ideas, and examine how these dynamics were shaped by and responded to ecological and material conditions. Case studies address topics ranging from ceramic technology and plant domestication to language contact, trade networks, and environmental modeling. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying concrete indicators of interaction and reassessing Africa's role in broader historical processes.
In bringing together these diverse approaches, the volume demonstrates the value of collaborative and interdisciplinary research, while contributing to a more di erentiated understanding of Africa's position within ancient global history.
investigated intra-African interactions north of the equator between 4,000 BCE and 500 CE, a period marked by signifi cant environmental, demographic, and socio-political transformations. The contributions highlight archaeological, linguistic, and environmental perspectives on the movement of people, goods, and ideas, and examine how these dynamics were shaped by and responded to ecological and material conditions. Case studies address topics ranging from ceramic technology and plant domestication to language contact, trade networks, and environmental modeling. Particular emphasis is placed on identifying concrete indicators of interaction and reassessing Africa's role in broader historical processes.
In bringing together these diverse approaches, the volume demonstrates the value of collaborative and interdisciplinary research, while contributing to a more di erentiated understanding of Africa's position within ancient global history.