Pastoralist Settlement and the Anthropogenic Savannah: the archaeo-ecology of Mili Sita, Kenya

摘要: Pastoralism has long been regarded difficult subject matter for archaeology, particularly in eastern Africa. Ephemeral settlements are presumed to leave little physical residue, such that reconstructions of pastoralist ethno-histories have relied on often-vague distributions material culture. Cultural-stratigraphic approaches limited their capacity explore the lifeways and social dynamics behind expressions. As a consequence, our knowledge how herding spread into region historical development specialised stock-keeping communities seen today is hindered by methodological incapacity address what arguably fundamental drivers daily experience: mobility landscape ecology. This dissertation argues interaction these two elements provides foundation economics, politics Movement around savannah, ostensibly response needs livestock, not only shapes herders’ interactions experiences environment, but also leaves impact those landscapes. While built structures may survive archaeologically, this discusses settlement, however temporary, affects local ecology ways endure might be ‘read’ as proxy record presence practices. With respect mid-second millennium site Maili Sita, central Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau, various data employed assess settlement particular patterns land-use impacted soils vegetation. Using geoarchaeological survey satellite imagery legacy effects human presence, alongside isotope derived from cattle teeth relating resource use, I argue Sita was part regional phenomenon ethno-linguistic interaction, exchange assimilation precipitated paradox defined-yet-entangled identities which continue characterise societies