Identifying Past Beer Production: Contributions from an Ethnoarchaeological Study in Bedik Villages, Senegal

An ethnoarchaeological study in Bedik villages, Senegal, has identified key material indicators for detecting past beer production. The research revealed that specific pottery types—large vessels and small bottles—and distinctive use-alteration patterns, such as inner non-abrasive attrition, are the most reliable markers. Additionally, architectural features of beer houses (e.g., wedge holes for large pottery, altars) and the location of beer cooking areas outside residential compounds further support identification. These findings provide a robust framework for recognizing beer production in archaeological contexts across Africa.

Debels, P., Vieugué, J., Pelmoine, T., Sall, M., & Mayor, A. (2024). Identifying Past Beer Production: Contributions from an Ethnoarchaeological Study in Bedik Villages, Senegal. Ethnoarchaeology, 16(1), 126–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/19442890.2024.2334509