Environmental constraint for first Anatomically Modern Human implantations in North Africa: the example of the Témara coastal area (Morocco)
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11 décembre 2014
- handle: 10670/1.zbydr9
- hal: hal-03025772
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Emilie Campmas et al., « Environmental constraint for first Anatomically Modern Human implantations in North Africa: the example of the Témara coastal area (Morocco) », HAL-SHS : archéologie, ID : 10670/1.zbydr9
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Currently, a large part of North Africa is covered by the Saharan desert. However, climate shifts have induced the reduction or the expansion of this desert in parallel to the appearance and the disappearance of rivers and lakes over time. Additionally to the desert barrier to the South, North Africa is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and by the Mediterranean Sea to the North. Coastal areas have been submitted to sea level shifts leading to an alternation of submersion/emersion of some parts of the continental shelf, which caused local environmental changes. Thus, the coast location and morphology have not always been similar throughout time. Consequently, in North Africa, both in desert and in coastal areas, available territories and resources for human and animals have changed. During climate ameliorations, when the desert was reduced, and the Saharan area covered by water networks, coastal lines were similar than today. Aterian implantations have been recorded during wetter periods of MIS 5, both in current desert areas, such as Libya, and in coastal areas, such as Moroccan Atlantic coast. This presentation aims to illustrate how local environmental fluctuations and sea level shifts have influenced the Aterian population settlement and human adaptations on the coastal areas of North Africa. This issue is approached through the example of Témara Caves (Rabat, Morocco) which have recorded both hallmarks of local environmental changes and Aterian occupations over time.