Mortuary behaviour and cultural practices in pre-colonial West Central Africa: new data from the Iroungou burial cave, Gabon. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villotte, Sébastien; Kacki, Sacha; Mounier, Aurélien; Mora, Pascal; Espinasse, Loic; Dempano, Jules Zamke; Gerin, Christian; Meunier, Quentin; Oslisly, Richard
• Is Part Of: Antiquity. Volume 95:Number 382(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Africa -- Gabon -- Iron Age -- burial practices -- collective burial -- dental modification; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.05
• DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.80
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-598X

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : This study presents preliminary results of recent explorations at Iroungou (Gabon), a pre-colonial burial cave containing scattered skeletal remains of at least 28 men, women and children. The individuals, whose crania show cultural tooth ablation, were buried with abundant metallic objects, a combination with no known equivalent in West Central Africa.