Takedda
Azelik | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 17°31′6″N 6°46′59″E / 17.51833°N 6.78306°E | |
Country | Niger |
Region | Agadez |
Department | Tchirozérine |
Takedda was a town and former kingdom located in present-day Niger. The archaeological site at Azelik wan Birni is believed to be the ruins of ancient Takedda.
History
Takedda was founded by the
Aïr Massif, played a prominent role in long-distance trade, notably owing to the importance of its copper mines. Takedda was visited by Ibn Battuta on his return trip from the Mali Empire in 1353.[1][2]
Evidence of copperworking have been found at the site dating to the first millennium BC. The French archeologist, Danilo Grébénart, has excavated the site and has studied the significance of this prehistoric non-ferrous metal industry.[3]
The reign of
Wolof province of Dyolof then took the army east to subjugate the copper
producing area of Takedda.
Notes
- ^ Dunn 2005, p. 305.
- ^ Levtzion & Hopkins 2000, pp. 301–303.
- ^ Grébénart 1993, pp. 28–33.
Sources
- Dunn, Ross E. (2005), The Adventures of Ibn Battuta, University of California Press, ISBN 0-520-05771-6.
- Grébénart, Danilo (1993), "Azelik Takedda et le cuivre médiéval dans la région d'Agadez", Le Saharien (Paris), 125 (2): 28–33.
- ISBN 1-55876-241-8. Pages 279-304 contain Ibn Battuta's account of his visit to West Africa.
Further reading
- Bernus, Suzanne; Gouletquer, Pierre (1976), "Du cuivre au sel. Recherches ethno-archéologiques sur la région d'Azelik (campagnes 1973-1975)", Journal des Africanistes (in French), 46: 7–68, .
- Bernus, Suzanne; Cressier, Patrice (1991), La région d'In Gall - Tegidda-n-Tesemt (Niger). Programme archéologique d'urgence 1977-1981. IV Azlik-Takadda et l'implantation sédentaire médiévale (in French), Niamey: Institut de recherches en sciences humaines. Étude Nigériennes 51, ISBN 2-85921-060-1.
- Levtzion, Nehemia (1973), Ancient Ghana and Mali, London: Methuen, ISBN 0-8419-0431-6.
- Lhote, Henri (1972), "Recherches sur Takedda, ville décrite par le voyageur arabe Ibn Battouta et située en Aïr", Bulletin de l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire, B (in French), 34 (3): 429–470.