Siméon K. Kouassi & Sylvain K. Koffi
Institut des Sciences Anthropologiques de Développement (ISAD)
Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny/Cocody-Abidjan – Côte d’Ivoire
[email protected] & [email protected]

Abstract
Archaeological Reconnaissance in the Forest of the Tanoé-Ehy Swamps
(FMTE) and its margins (Southeastern Côte d’Ivoire): Challenges and
Prospects
Archaeological investigations into the coastal area in Côte d’Ivoire has long been
dominated by research themes focused on shell mounds and ceramics, accordingly
to archaeologically-based issues. The implementation of a research project on the
margins of the Forest of the Tanoé-Ehy Swamps (FMTE) (Southeastern Côte
d’Ivoire), jointly by archaeologists and biologists, has opened a new way of
approach, challenges and prospects.
The present study consists of a preliminary report on the results of recording
of on-site oral traditions that facilitated a field reconnaissance based on surface
collection of fragments of ceramics (potsherds), smoking pipes and beads. This
joint fieldwork has revealed ?the attraction of that FMTE area on past humans
probably concerned with settlement subsistence and security potentialities. In this
regard, the major and final aim of the starting research project is to advocate for the
ecological safeguarding and the archaeological valorization of this specific land
where are living such endangered monkeys (primates) hereafter termed (in French)
as “Cercopithèque diane roloway”, “Cercocèbe couronné” and “Colobe bai de
Miss Waldron”.
Key words: Archaeological reconnaissance, Tanoé-Ehy Swampy Forest (FMTE),
Côte d’Ivoire, Safeguarding and valorization.