The Early and the Late Acacus material cultures after the 1960-63 and the 1990-93 excavations

The first aim of this chapter is to compare the evidence from the 1960-63 sounding with those from the 1990-93 excavation in order to organise a complete framework of the material culture of the site. Another purpose is to identify some indications on the spatial organisation and settlement pattern of the site considering contemporary variabilities. A further purpose is to cast light on the chrono-cultural similarities and differences between the Early Acacus and the Late Acacus horizons, in order to define their distinctive features. Ultimately, there is the aim to integrate the Early and the Late Acacus horizons within the wider general environmental and cultural framework present in the Sahara during the first two millennia of the Holocene. The information obtained by combining the evidence from the two excavations, complemented the previous one and resulted of particular relevance with regard to the spatial organisation of the site and to the composition of the two different Early and Late Acacus assemblages.