Martin, V. and Becker, C., Protohistoric sites of Senegambia in National atlas of Senegal, Paris, I.G.N., 1977, pp. 48–51, 10 photographs, plate 18 in color.

Cyr Descamps reviews V. Martin and C. Becker’s map and commentary on Senegambian protohistoric sites in the 1977 Atlas National du Sénégal. He praises the inventory of 3,711 sites but argues that the commentary privileges megalithic morphology and typology while neglecting shell middens, settlement remains, iron-smelting remains, and excavation evidence. He challenges terminology and classification, particularly “tombelle,” and stresses that removed, broken, or buried monoliths undermine counts unsupported by excavation. Evidence of collective burials contradicts the commentary’s characterization of burials as few. Descamps also finds insufficient support for interpretations involving soul receptacles, offerings, and an eastern origin of the builders. He concludes that the commentary offers a partial and frequently questionable account that does not match the quality of the survey.