Etude archéologique du site métallurgique de bendaman dans le logone oriental au sud du Tchad

Abstract

Our work focuses on the archaeological study of the metallurgical site of Bendaman in Logone Oriental in southern Chad. It aims to understand the different techniques used by the population of the region for the production of iron. The method is based on the exploitation of the ethno archaeological approach. It aims to reconstruct the iron production chain of operations. We used an interdisciplinary methodological approach that involves the collection of written, oral, ethnographic and archaeological data. The collection of material data was done in two phases: during prospecting and stratigraphic excavations. The central hypothesis, based on observations made in the field, highlighting a priori , a perceptible difference between the remains of the, one can consider the hypothesis of the existence of the same ancient technique of iron production in the study region. The central hypothesis, on the basis of observations made in the field, highlighting a priori, a perceptible difference between the remains of the furnaces, we can consider the hypothesis of the existence of the same ancient technique of iron production in the study region. From this central hypothesis, two other secondary hypotheses followed. The first specific hypothesis states that on the basis of ethno archaeological data, we can reconstruct the functioning of archaeological structures. The second specific hypothesis consists of reconstructing the operational chain of ancient iron metallurgy in the study area. The Bêlai practiced metallurgy in the region before the 16th century. A sample of the charcoal taken was subject to dating at the Lyon radiocarbon laboratory. The result is as follows: Ly-12534: 825± 35 Bp, i.e. calibrated age 1162 to 1276 AD. Iron metallurgy in the study area would be located between the 16th century and the 1950s. This activity has positive effects from an economic and social point of view. We also attempted to describe and characterize the techniques implemented for the reduction and to quantify the volume of production of metallurgical waste. The analysis of these archaeological and ethnographic data made it possible to highlight the use of the same type of reduction furnaces.