Wilson argues—on basis of recent fieldwork in the Libyan Sahara—that there was a significant degree of trading taking place from 1stC AD >
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> onwards & that the trans-Saharan element may have rivalled that in the medieval period.
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For more on the Garamantian kingdom in the Central Sahara during the Roman period, see https://www.world-archaeology.com/features/garamantes-libya.htm … & http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/11/111111-sahara-libya-lost-civilization-science-satellites/ …pic.twitter.com/sNOC0LtPkI
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For some Late Antique finds from the Garamantian kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso+Mali), see here:https://twitter.com/caitlinrgreen/status/844281770241675265 …
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L5th–6thC rims possibly imitative of N.African Roman/Byzantine amphorae, found Tongo Maaré Diabal, Mali, W. Africa: http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Money_Trade_and_Trade_Routes_online.pdf …pic.twitter.com/NHSsLZESrw
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Items from c.3rd–7thC Kissi, Burkina Faso, sub-Saharan W. Africa, made w/ metal prob imported from Roman Carthage: https://www.academia.edu/3596759/Contacts_Between_West_Africa_and_Roman_North_Africa_Archaeometallurgical_Results_from_Kissi_Northeastern_Burkina_Faso …pic.twitter.com/YLsUinQcCi
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A selection of beads from Kissi, Burkina Faso—some from Roman/Byz Near East+Egypt, others prob from Sasanian Empire: https://www.academia.edu/10180972/Sahelian_crossroads_Some_aspects_on_the_Iron_Age_sites_of_Kissi_Burkina_Faso …pic.twitter.com/A1Y3OnoMCV
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Interesting. Compare to earlier trade routes across the Sahara http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/tuareg/tuareg.php …pic.twitter.com/ZvQEiqu7Vv
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Yes! Wilson has a fascinating map of potential routes like this :)
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That's a pretty important breach in the notion that N Africa is sealed off from W. Africa...
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Indeed :) I have a brief blog post with a map of Roman finds across the whole of W Africa in the works :)
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So it's probable there were Black people in N. Africa-- slaves, freedmen, traders; & the Garamantians had lots contact with SubSaharan world
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So a Mauretanian auxiliary or an equestrian praefectus from Tripolitania could easily have a Black ancestor, and the BBC cartoon is fine
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and, as I wrote earlier, such a man would be typical *of the Roman empire in Britain*. We're cool !
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Well, the data from York, London & Leicester def interesting in this regard :) For additional interest, see alsohttps://twitter.com/caitlinrgreen/status/758742518175440898 …
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The conspicuous missing word is: Punic. (I hate that)
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Wilson notes Punic pottery reaching Garamantian sites in the Wadi al-Ajal in 3rd–2ndC BC, but real intensity of finds is Roman, 1stC AD on…
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Indeed, hopefully correcting another detail of the still-prevailing view that the ancient world was not a global enterprise!
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