Helen Kiénon-Kaboré

Timpoko Helène Kienon-Kabore is an archaeologist from Côte d'Ivoire, who is Professor at the Research of Human Society and Science Unit at the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. A specialist in historical metallurgy, she is an advisor on archaeological heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of Côte d'Ivoire and was president of the Association of Archaeologists of West Africa from 2010-2014.

Quotes

Sources and methods for a history of ancient metallurgical techniques in sub-Saharan African societies: the case of iron metallurgy

• The approach of the different remains represents a mine of information for the history of ancient iron production where techniques and rites are intertwined.
• Ancient iron metallurgy in sub-Saharan Africa has been the focus of interest of several disciplines.
• Archaeological and historical remains are visible material witnesses of the steel industry. They bear witness to this technical history ranging from the remains of the search for raw materials to the obtaining of finished products.
  • Archaeological and historical remains and the archaeometric approach.
• In all countries of sub-Saharan Africa, archaeological remains of iron metallurgy have been discovered. No country in Africa has remained on the sidelines of this technical revolution.
• During  the colonial period, circle monographs, reports by colonial administrators, geologists, amateurs, etc. also provide information that can often prove decisive in the collection of preliminary data. Within these, metallurgist sites are often indicated on maps and photographs. Authors also describe metallurgical industries. This approach most often allows for the establishment of an initial general mapping of archaeological sites and thus an assessment of the wealth of metallurgical sites in the study area in order to prepare field surveys.
  • The remains discovered provided very ancient dates which confirm the antiquity of this industry in this part of Africa.
• The work is being carried out in collaboration with the universities of Abidjan and Ouagadougou.
• On the edge of the modern village of Doumbala lies a large area of metallurgical activity with around fifty slag heaps.
• The furnaces belong to two different technical traditions which are also local variants of the two ancient traditions highlighted at Siola (KAN 1 and 2).
  • [1]
• Ancient iron metallurgy in Burkina Faso, Bulkiemdé province [microform]: ethnological, historical, archaeological and metallographic approach.
  • [2]