Karkarichinkat

Karkarichikat is an archaeological site located in West Africa within the Lower Tilemsi Valley of Eastern Mali. The site was first recorded by Raymond Mauny in 1952. There were a total of 11 human remains found at the sites of Karkarichikat Nord (KN05) and Karkarichinkat Sud (KS05). Based on radiocarbon dates, Karkarichikat Nord was occupied from 2620 to 2200 cal. years BC. A radiocarbon date of 3310 BP was obtained from surface material found at Karkarichikat Sud. Karkarichikat is known for having some of the oldest dated evidence for intentional dental modification. The modified teeth found at Karkarichikat Nord is the first area in the region to show evidence of this practice. Most modifications would be a result from trauma or due to a specific task-related wear, such as chewing on tree bark. These modifications, however, appear to have been done for aesthetic purposes. The filed teeth that were found came from women, which shows that these modifications were possibly sex-specific within their culture. Karkarichikat was a seasonal occupation site, as evidenced from the flora and faunal remains. The site was occupied after the milling harvest season was over in the late fall.