<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The prehistoric settlement of the west coast of the Senegalese-Mauritanian basin is established from archaeological remains and coal samples collected, sometimes in a stratigraphic context. However, the chronology issued, in the Before Present (BP) age, does not take into account the taphonomic context of the sites and the local reservoir age. Therefore, this article revisits the chronologies obtained based on the <sup>14</sup>C literature and dating(s) acquired. Changes in time and duration of human occupancy of the area are shorter or longer depending on adequate yields of local reservoir age (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="j_geochr-2021-0002_ref_012">Ndeye, 2008</xref>), which is a relevant element for marine samples. Thus, the archaeological implications observed with the reservoir effect are the rejuvenation or ageing of the dates, the age of the sites, the duration of occupation prehistoric or historical sites studied. Using the calibration programmes, it is noted that for the site of Senegal (Khant), without taking into account the reservoir effect, the human occupation is a priori, from the fifth millennium (Ancient Neolithic) to the third millennium BC (Middle Neolithic). However, if this marine reservoir effect is applied, the chronological periodisation goes from the fourth millennium to the first millennium. For the Mauritanian sites, the reservoir age correction is necessary for the Chami site while for the Tintan site is not required. Therefore, the calibrated archaeological chronologies obtained after the application of the marine reservoir effect are more relevant.</p></abstract>

The prehistoric settlement of the west coast of the Senegalese-Mauritanian basin is established from archaeological remains and coal samples collected, sometimes in a stratigraphic context. However, the chronology issued, in the Before Present (BP) age, does not take into account the taphonomic context of the sites and the local reservoir age. Therefore, this article revisits the chronologies obtained based on the 14C literature and dating(s) acquired. Changes in time and duration of human occupancy of the area are shorter or longer depending on adequate yields of local reservoir age (Ndeye, 2008), which is a relevant element for marine samples. Thus, the archaeological implications observed with the reservoir effect are the rejuvenation or ageing of the dates, the age of the sites, the duration of occupation prehistoric or historical sites studied. Using the calibration programmes, it is noted that for the site of Senegal (Khant), without taking into account the reservoir effect, the human occupation is a priori, from the fifth millennium (Ancient Neolithic) to the third millennium BC (Middle Neolithic). However, if this marine reservoir effect is applied, the chronological periodisation goes from the fourth millennium to the first millennium. For the Mauritanian sites, the reservoir age correction is necessary for the Chami site while for the Tintan site is not required. Therefore, the calibrated archaeological chronologies obtained after the application of the marine reservoir effect are more relevant.

Revision of the human’s occupations chronologies at the Senegalese and Mauritania sites by using marine reservoir ages corrections

Geochronometria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The prehistoric settlement of the west coast of the Senegalese-Mauritanian basin is established from archaeological remains and coal samples collected,...

Revision of the human’s occupations chronologies at the Senegalese and Mauritania sites by using marine reservoir ages corrections

Article Category: Regular Articles

Published Online: Apr 04, 2021

Page range: 16 - 30

Received: May 19, 2020

Accepted: Feb 08, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/geochr-2021-0002

Keywords
marine reservoir age, calibration, marine organism, kjokkemmoddings (shell clusters)

© 2021 M. Ndeye., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Revision of the human’s occupations chronologies at the Senegalese and Mauritania sites by using marine reservoir ages corrections

Article Category: Regular Articles

Published Online: Apr 04, 2021

Page range: 16 - 30

Received: May 19, 2020

Accepted: Feb 08, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/geochr-2021-0002

Keywordsmarine reservoir age, calibration, marine organism, kjokkemmoddings (shell clusters)

© 2021 M. Ndeye., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
marine reservoir age, calibration, marine organism, kjokkemmoddings (shell clusters)