A coastal occupation in Bénin, West Africa: Earthenwares and salt at the time of Atlantic entanglement

The archaeology of the immediate coastline West Africa remains surprisingly little understood, and what research has been undertaken often focused on questions relating to sea-based interactions precolonial polities lying slightly inland. This paper reports results excavations Ohlinhoué, a small lagoonal island in western Republic Bénin. A locally manufactured ceramic assemblage was recovered, together with suite artifacts, including glass, metal, shell, smoking pipes. These archaeological data provide insights into small-scale, likely fishing salt-producing community this area between sea river. As such, they an alternative historical readings well-known trade entrepôts that feed popular narratives.