@ARTICLE{10.21494/ISTE.OP.2023.1036, 

TITLE={The wooden barge, sand-carrier, of Bamako (Mali): 8000 years of nautical innovations}, 
  
AUTHOR={Patrick Féron, }, 
	
JOURNAL={Archaeology, Society and Environment}, 
	
VOLUME={3}, 

NUMBER={Issue 1}, 
	
YEAR={2023}, 

URL={https://www.openscience.fr/The-wooden-barge-sand-carrier-of-Bamako-Mali-8000-years-of-nautical-innovations}, 
	
DOI={10.21494/ISTE.OP.2023.1036}, 
	
ISSN={2752-4507}, 
	
ABSTRACT={The inland delta of Niger river is the guardian of nautical traditions since several thousands of years. However, the only archaelogical trace of boat in Africa, the 8 000-year-old Dufuna dugout is located in the northest of Nigeria. Consequently, the knowledge about dugouts of the delta is documented solely from sources writed between 1591 et 1967, and by analysis of figurations. Nine models of dugouts, carved, sewed then nailed, have been inventoried between Bamako and Timbuctu by this way. Comparatively, the present wooden barge, sandcarrier, of Bamako asks a question about cultural crossbreeding with old skill and knowledge. Our study analyses the encounter occurred around 1884 between two traditions, aboriginal and then exogenous. This investigation puts back together cultural and technical ways folowing by the wooden barge, sand carrier, of Bamako. The research on the shipyard notes the industriel process developed by the carpenter Bozo during his work. This man of the art is a rigthful heir to a thousand years of know-how. To day he perpetuates his expertise with succesful. The study counts twenty-four forest trees and textile plants used to make boats. It appears that the inland delta of Niger river and have mad contribution to nautical innovations until to day.}}