Definition: Dhar Tichitt is the name of a group of villages located along the edge of a limestone cliff in south central Mauritania that were occupied between 2000-800 BC. The stratified society had several large villages enclosed in stone walls. The earliest occupations have evidence for megafauna exploitation; the latter indicate a more generalized hunting, gathering, and herding strategy. Excavations have been conducted at Dhar Tichitt by P.J. Munson, Augustin F.C. Holl, and S. Amblard and together they suggest that there may have been seasonal farming of millet as early as 2000 BC, depending on local climatic conditions. This adaptive strategy is comparable to other Saharan sites and suggests that the Sahara's local climate varied in the past.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
Common Misspellings: Dhar Tichett
