Spatial Organization and Socio-Economic Differentiation at the Dhar Tichitt Center of Dakhlet el Atrouss I (Southeastern Mauritania)

Significant socio-economic differentiation existed at Dakhlet el Atrouss I, the largest site of the Tichitt Tradition in southeastern Mauritania. This finding challenges previous assumptions about limited complexity in the region by applying Lorenz Curves and Gini Coefficients—a first for African prehistory—to analyze compound size variation. The study reveals a multi-tiered settlement hierarchy with nearly 600 compounds, suggesting substantial wealth disparity despite minimal evidence of imported prestige goods. Using econometric methods and spatial analyses, researchers demonstrated that the site's intricate layout and monumental funerary architecture reflect complex agropastoral economies centered on pearl millet cultivation and livestock-raising.

Linares-Matás, G. J. (2022). Spatial Organization and Socio-Economic Differentiation at the Dhar Tichitt Center of Dakhlet el Atrouss I (Southeastern Mauritania). African Archaeological Review, 39(2), 167–188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-022-09479-5