Peter Coutros back from new BantuFirst archaeological fieldwork along the Kwilu and Kasai Rivers

Peter Coutros (BantUGent, BantuFirst project) has just returned from an archaeological field mission in the DRC. Between August 16 and September 29, Dr. Coutros and Prof. Igor Matonda Sakala (UniKin & BantUgent associate) returned with their team to the Kwilu and Kasai Rivers for continued research and community outreach. This year, they were conducting survey of new areas as well as returning for more intensive investigations at locations identified during the 2021 mission. More than 50 new sites were identified – dating from the Middle Stone Age through the Early Iron Age – and excavations were conducted at numerous sites along the two rivers.

A ceremony led by the village elders at Mashita Mbanza prior to excavations.
Prof. Matonda [center] overseeing the second year of excavations at Kikundi along the Kwilu River.
The team and community members at Bagata Mukea standing over trench 1 after excavations.
Team member Arnold Mabuaka [Institut des Museés Nationaux de Congo] taking depth measurements during excavations at the village of Mfubakwan.