par Nikis, Nicolas 
;Livingstone Smith, Alexandre
Référence Journal of Southern African Studies 1st biennial conference. “Southern Africa beyond the west : Political, economic and cultural relationships with the BRICS countries and the global South” (7-11 août 2015: Livingstone, Zambie)
Publication Non publié, 2015
;Livingstone Smith, Alexandre Référence Journal of Southern African Studies 1st biennial conference. “Southern Africa beyond the west : Political, economic and cultural relationships with the BRICS countries and the global South” (7-11 août 2015: Livingstone, Zambie)
Publication Non publié, 2015
Communication à un colloque
| Résumé : | Copper is rare and scattered in central Africa and was considered as a valuable metal, playing the same role as gold in other parts of the world. The first remains of copper production in the Copperbelt area (south DRC and north Zambia), which is one of the richest deposits of Africa, are dated from 4th-7th c. AD. From early 2nd millennium AD, a large scale production of copper was thriving and was still flourishing until late 19th c.Some of the ingots produced in the Copperbelt have a typical form, like the so-called cross-shaped “croisettes” and were not only used for their raw material but also as an exchange medium. The study of their repartition is a good way to identify long distance direct or indirect contact between some areas. Indeed, during the 2nd millennium AD, we can observe the use of the same type of ingots in remote regions, from Great Zimbabwe area to the Upemba depression (North Katanga, DRC). We can also note some changes in these contacts and the apparition of new boundaries, suggesting variation in the regional networks.The various informations available for the 19th c. also allow to link the copper diffusion with political entities, suggesting exclusive influence areas, which is supported by evidence from other kinds of production, like ceramics and salt. |
