Prehistory and Quaternary Geology of the Sahara

Abstract

THE first international meeting for the Study of the Prehistory and Quaternary Geology of the Sahara was held under the auspices of the Musee de l'Homme, Paris, on June 27–30. Sir Robert Mond, who has arranged for the publication of the results, was president d'honneur, and Prof. P. Rivet, who kindly allowed the magnificent organization of his new Museum to be used, was president. Archaeological papers predominated at the meeting, and of these the larger number dealt with the numerous and important rock-drawings and rock-paintings of the Desert. This being the first general meeting of men of science working in different areas of almost half a continent, it was more exploratory than definitive, the primary purpose being to familiarize workers with progress in other parts. Perhaps, not least important was the opportunity for personal contact. A second meeting will be held four years hence. However, certain more concrete results were obtained. Machinery was set up for forming a bibliography of rock paintings and drawings. It was agreed that in the pro cameline era two clear periods of rock pictures were to be found throughout the entire area, an early 'level' of hunters and a later one of cattle breeders. Further subdivisions appear at present to be local, and it also seems as if the hunters differed in different localities, whereas the cattle breeders were probably the same people throughout the Sahara. Furthermore, there was common accord that one genre of pottery is found throughout, though it varies slightly locally. The biggest uniform group stretches across the entire southern half and is the same as the Early 0-Group culture of Nubia and a similar culture found by the Robert Mond Expedition at Armant. Its date of entry into Egypt is fixed at about 2500 B.C. The papers read at the meeting will be published later in full.