Cameroon - Djohong

Presentation

Study Region: Southern border of Adamaoua

Study Zone: Maiganga

Municipality: Djohong

Research Themes: Population influx dynamics at forest edges in Central Africa during the Holocene Era

The archaeological data gathered over these past ten years at the southern edges of the Adamaoua show that the development of iron technology and its development formed a break from previous traditions. Alongside the diversification of funeral structures and the emergence of territorial identities, the emergence and evolution of megalithism - a symbolic phenomenon of great magnitude - marks a major stage in the evolution of prehistoric societies in the zone. To gain a more in-depth understanding of this complex set of data, our research will be focused on the population dynamics, which give insight into the changes in this sub-region of Central Africa, in space and over time.

This programme is being carried out by a multi-disciplinary team that includes both local partners (the Department of Arts and Archaeology of the University of Yaoundé I, the National Authority on Heritage of Cameroon) and colleagues from our various institutions CNRS/University/IRD. The team brings together researchers of different backgrounds, skills and experience, in a shared review process, anchored in the programmes and in a research area designed along three thrusts:

 the first is archaeological, and is aimed at expanding current databases by continuing prospecting and excavation to gain a greater understanding of the region’s archaeology,
 the second is more methodological, and consists of putting together experimental and ethnoarchaeological reference bases,
 the last is focused more on promoting the archaeological heritage. Team membership

Scientific leadership: E. Zangato, Djohong project leader

Scientific contributors:

French partners
 Ph. Fluzin CNRS UMR 5060
 G. Querre CNRS UMR 6566
 D. Guillot UR 92 IRD
 J-F. Saliège (IPSL) CNRS UMR 7617
 S. Kouti, doctoral student at the University of Paris X-Nanterre
 S. Manem, doctoral student at the University of Paris X-Nanterre
 G. Delaune, doctoral student at the University of Aix en Provence.

Local partners
 M. Elouga, University of Yaoundé I
 R. Assombang, University of Yaoundé I
 Ch. Mbida Mindzie, Department of Heritage/University of Yaoundé
 J. Datouang, doctoral student at the University of Yaoundé I
 S. Mengolo, doctoral student at the University of Yaoundé I,
 M. Moundoubou, doctoral student at the University of Yaoundé I.

Technical contributors

 B. Fabry (INRAP, topographic technician)
 D. Kassaï (Operation manager, drawing artist).

Current research

Our archaeological digs in the Djohong Region, in the northeast of Cameroon, is aimed at building up our knowledge of the past. We wish to identify the cultural units unearthed and continue both prospecting and excavation. The first digs carried out on the Mpaa, Bedobo and Gbatoro sites (Djohong Region) have been encouraging. The sites provide indications on the likely presence of a Late Stone Age level, as well as the LSA/Neolithic shift, a Neolithic/Metal Age shift and a sub-current pre-Gbaya and Gbaya stage in the region. These data have made it possible to consider these archaeological digs from a training and cultural development perspective. The material gathered during future land campaigns will be the focus of university research and will become part of a heritage promotion programme.

Mission Heads:
Etienne Zangato
Laboratory of Prehistory and Technology
(UMR 7055, CNRS)
Maison d’Archéologie et d’Ethnologie
21 allée de l’université
92023 Nanterre cedex
etienne.zangato@mae.u-paris10.fr