Daten zum Projekt
Initiative: | Wissen für morgen – Kooperative Forschungsvorhaben im subsaharischen Afrika (beendet) |
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Ausschreibung: | Postdoctoral Fellowships in the Humanities in Africa |
Bewilligung: | 02.08.2016 |
Laufzeit: | 3 Jahre |
Projektinformationen
African metallurgy is greatly variable in terms of the techniques of metal production and socio-cultural aspects that were part of the process (e.g. Sutton 1985; Schmidt 2001). This knowledge is based on patchy metallurgical research possibly due to the large size of the continent in relation to a few archaeometallurgists in particular regions as well as due to research interests of the previous writers. As a result, there are a few African regions that have lagged behind and some are virtually terra incognita archaeometallurgically speaking. There is also over-concentration on iron metallurgy rather than copper or tin metallurgy. The purpose of the proposed research project is to explore iron and copper metallurgical traditions and human technological and socio-cultural choices made during the process of metal production in selected provinces of Zambia. To this end, primary data will be collected through: ethno-historical and ethno-botanical surveys, archaeological surveys (surface and subsurface) and excavation, and; lab methods will include: sample prep methods, optical and electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses and lab ceramics firing and re-firing experiments. It will improve our understanding of the metallurgy of the Region in terms of the copper and iron technological traditions including the three-stage tradition as well as the choices humans made in relation to metallurgy.
Projektbeteiligte
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Prof. Dr. Brigitte Reinwald
Universität Hannover
Philosophische Fakultät
Historisches Seminar
Fachgebiet Geschichte Afrikas
Hannover
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Dr. Edwinus Lyaya
University of Dar es Salaam
College of Humanities
Department of Archaeology and Heritage
Heritage Building, Ground Floor, Room No. 25
Dar es Salaam
Tansania (Tanzania)