West Africa

Abstract

West Africa is a vast and environmentally diverse region. Its diversity is reflected in its archaeological record, including the Islamic and trans-Saharan trade-associated components. This chapter reviews relevant archaeological research across West Africa through adopting a primarily chronological approach. The indigenous origins of the great medieval empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai are highlighted and their participation in long-distance trans-Saharan networks explored. The major Sahelian trade centers such as Koumbi-Saleh, Essouk-Tadmekka, and Gao are considered, as are entrepot further south that were linked with Muslim merchant groups such as the Mande, agents who connected Sahel to savannah to forest. The commodities of long-distance trade are evaluated in detail, and the extent to which archaeology indicates the networks stretched far into West Africa without necessarily being accompanied by Islamization is appraised. Finally, the limited archaeological research undertaken on the jihads of the 19th century is presented and the “state” of research examined by way of conclusion.