A question of rite—pearl millet consumption at Nok culture sites, Nigeria (second/first millennium BC)

Abstract The Nok culture in central Nigeria, dated 1500–1 cal bc , is known for its famous terracotta sculptures. We here present a study on > 11,000 botanical macro-remains from 50 sites, including 343 samples contexts and 22 dating between ad 100 400, after the end of culture. With 9,220 remains, pearl millet ( Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone, syn. Pennisetum glaucum R.Br.) dominant samples, followed by cowpea Vigna unguiculata Walp . ), Canarium schweinfurthii Engl., Nauclea latifolia Sm. (syn. Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A.Bruce), wild fruit trees Poaceae. remains consist exclusively charred caryopses; chaff are completely absent. Because we studied all size fractions, small 0.5 mm fractions usually containing involucres, bristles husks, absence real, excluding methodological explanation, distinguishes contemporary other West African sites. propose that most excavated sites were consumer where clean grain was brought outside consumed ritual context connected with feasting. This line archaeological evidence larger stone-pot arrangements interpreted as places related to mortuary practices. In addition southward branches diffusion Sahara new, hitherto unknown branch directly Nigerian savannas.