Urbanisation and State Formation in the Ancient Sahara and Beyond

Contrary to the long-held belief that Saharan oasis settlements emerged only during the early medieval period, research indicates their origins date back significantly earlier. By the first millennium AD, some of these settlements had grown into complex 'towns,' with a few even serving as focal centers within proto-states or early state-level societies. This challenges the traditional narrative by demonstrating that precocious civilizations bordering the Sahara were interconnected through long-range contacts and knowledge networks, rather than being isolated developments. The study employs archaeological evidence to trace urbanization and state formation in the region, shedding new light on the ancient Saharan landscape's sophistication and interconnectedness.

Sterry, M., & Mattingly, D. J. (Eds.). (2020). Urbanisation and State Formation in the Ancient Sahara and Beyond. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108637978