Birimi
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Location_of_Birimi.jpg/220px-Location_of_Birimi.jpg)
Birimi is an
Site
Birimi is an archaeological site that was discovered in the northern regions of Ghana.[3] The site lies on the Gambaga escarpment, about 3.5 kilometers to the northwest of the town of Nalerigu.[3] Excavations of the site begun in the year 1987, led by Francois Kense.[1] These were also the first excavations in the wider area around this site.[1] The Birimi site is situated primarily within a system of seasonal stream channels, which are covered with lithic artifacts and show signs of extractive activities.[1] During research and excavation campaigns at Birimi, samples were taken to learn about the site and its broader region;[1][2][3][4] these samples included pottery, burned daub, sediment, charcoal and palaeobotanical remains for stylistic, archaeometry and/or dating purposes.[1]
Middle Stone Age
The earliest occupation phase of Birimi has been dated to the Middle Stone Age.[1][2] The material finds consist of a variety of different stone artifact forms including Levallois flakes and cores, disk cores, blades, bifaces, notches, denticulates and retouched flakes and blades.[2] In situ, artifacts can be found 1 meter below the surface level of the ground.[3] However, these are not easily linked to other contemporaneous cultures of the Middle Stone Age[1][2] due to Middle Stone Age sites of West Africa not being well understood.[2]
Later Stone Age
The
Iron Age
The Iron Age occupation phase roughly (600 to 200's BCE) of Birimi occurred in its western region.[1] Kintampo settlement sites are often found near Iron Age sites.[1] However, no Iron Age habitations have been found near the smelters.[1] The ironworking activities can be found in the forms of multiple slag mounds and furnaces throughout the western region of Birimi.[1]