MORPHO-SEDIMENTARY SYNTHESIS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL OCCURRENCES IN THE FALEME VALLEY (80-5 KA; EAST SENEGAL): CONTINUING OCCUPATIONS DURING THE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE TRANSITION

Studies conducted along the Faleme River (East Senegal) since 2011, in Sansande-Missira sector, inform our understanding of the stratigraphy of Pleistocene alluvial formations. Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating set a robust chronostratigraphical framework, of the last climate cycle and especially of the 45-5 ka period. The fine formations, punctuated by coarse formations, document the permanence of the flows while the recurrence of archaeological sites shows that there was sufficient flow to attract Palaeolithic populations, even during the last dry period.