Tenerian culture facts for kids

The Tenerian culture was a group of people who lived in the Sahara Desert a very long time ago. They existed between about 7,000 and 4,500 years ago. This was during a time when the Sahara was much wetter and greener than it is today, known as the Neolithic Subpluvial.

A French archaeologist named M. Reygasse first used the name "Tenerian" in 1934. Later, scientists learned more about this culture. Important discoveries were made during expeditions to the Aïr Mountains in northern Niger and by J. Desmond Clark in the early 1970s.

Scientists first found human remains from the Tenerian culture at a place called Adrar Bous in the Aïr Mountains. Other remains were found at Gobero in the Ténéré desert, also in Niger. During their time, this desert region was full of life. The Tenerians were skilled cattle herders, but they also fished and hunted for food.

What Was Found at Gobero?

The important site of Gobero was discovered in 2000. Archaeologist Paul Sereno and his team were actually looking for dinosaur bones when they found it! They uncovered evidence of two different ancient cultures there. One was the Kiffian culture, which lived earlier, and the other was the Tenerian culture.

The Kiffians lived before the Tenerians and disappeared about 8,000 years ago when the desert became very dry. This dry period lasted until about 4600 BC. The oldest items from the Tenerian culture date back to this time. Over 200 skeletons have been found at Gobero.

How Were Tenerians Different from Earlier People?

The Tenerian people were generally shorter and not as strong as the Kiffians who lived before them. Scientists studied their skulls and found that their bones were also different. Kiffian skulls looked similar to other ancient groups from Europe and North Africa. However, Tenerian skulls were more like those of groups from the Mediterranean region.

Tenerian Burials and Beliefs

The graves at Gobero show that the Tenerians had special spiritual traditions. They buried their dead with important items like jewelry made from hippo tusks and clay pots.

One of the most amazing discoveries was a burial of three people together. It was an adult woman and two children, who were about five and eight years old. They were found hugging each other, and this burial is about 5,300 years old. Scientists found pollen, which suggests they were buried on a bed of flowers. It seems all three died within 24 hours. But since their skeletons showed no signs of injury, and they were buried so carefully, their cause of death remains a mystery. It's unlikely they died from a quick illness like a plague if they were buried with such care.

What Language Did Tenerians Speak?

Scientists are not sure what language the Tenerians spoke. They might have spoken a language from the Nilo-Saharan family, possibly related to the Kiffians. Or they might have spoken an early form of an Afro-Asiatic language.

Why Did the Tenerian Culture Disappear?

Around 4,500 years ago, the Sahara Desert became dry again. This change in climate meant there was less water and food for their cattle. The Tenerian culture then disappeared. It's possible they moved to other areas to find new places for their animals to graze.

See also

• Aterian
• Ifri n'Amr or Moussa
• Kelif el Boroud
• Tadrart Acacus