Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T23:02:12.888Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

NEW RADIOCARBON DATES FROM ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN PARTS OF IGBOLAND, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 January 2022

Kenechukwu Chidiogo Daniel*
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Tourism, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Anselm Maduabuchi Ibeanu
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Jacinta Uchenna Ikegwu
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Tourism, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Emuobosa Akpo Orijemie
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
*
*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

This paper presents new results of radiocarbon (14C) ages from archaeological sites in northern Igboland. The study was designed to shed more light on early human occupation and activities in the study area based on sediments from cave and iron-smelting sites. The approach consisted of ethnographic, archaeological, palynological, and slag analyses; these were complemented with 14C dates. The technology adopted as well as the paleoenvironmental conditions that prevailed during the period of human settlement in both sites was revealed. These data, complemented by 14C dates, highlight the human behavioral and subsistence patterns within the region and are comparable to those from similar sites in southeastern Nigeria.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press for the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Adeyanju, TE, Adeyanju, AT, Ottosson, U and Manu, S. 2017. Bat diversity and abundance in Omo Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife & Environment 9(4):918.Google Scholar
Afigbo, AE 1987. Speculation on Igbo origins, dispersal and culture history. In: Afigbo, AE, editor. Ropes of Sand. Ibadan: University Press Limited. p. 130.Google Scholar
Andah, BW, Anozie, FN 1980. Preliminary report on the prehistoric site of Afikpo, Imo state Nigeria. West African Journal of Archaeology 10:83102.Google Scholar
Anozie, F. 1979a. Early iron technology in Igboland: Lejja and Umundu. West African Journal of Archaeology 9:119134.Google Scholar
Anozie, F. 1985. Archaeology of Igboland. Nimo: Asele Institute Monography.Google Scholar
Aremu, D. A. 2005. Precolonial Nigeria essays in honor of Toyin Falola. In: Akinwuni O, editor. Metallurgical traditions: origins, technology and social implications. p. 136–137.Google Scholar
Carrión, JS, Scott, L, Marais, E. 2006. Environmental implications of pollen spectra in bat droppings from southeastern Spain and potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 140:175186.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chikwendu, VE. 1998. Cultural succession and continuity in southeastern Nigeria (excavations at Afikpo). BAR International Series 734.Google Scholar
Daniel, KC. 2019. Archaeological investigation of Ojebe-Ogene clan, Enugu state, Nigeria. [unpublished PhD thesis]. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.Google Scholar
Eze-Uzoamaka, PI. 2009. Iron Age archaeology in Lejja, Nigeria. In: Pwiti G, Macamo S, Radimilahy C, editors. Dimensions of African archaeology: studies in the African past. Vols. 7E, 7D. Dares Salaam: Vision Publishing Limited. p. 41–51, 40–51.Google Scholar
Eze-Uzomaka, PI. 2013. Iron and its influence in the prehistoric site of Lejja. In: Humphris J, Rehren T, editors. Proceedings, World of Iron Conference. p. 3–9.Google Scholar
Fagg, B. 1968. The Nok Culture excavation at Taruga, west Africa. Archaeological Newsletter 10.Google Scholar
Fagg, B. 1992. Excavation of an occupation site in the Nok valley, Nigeria. West African Journal of Archaeology 2:75 Google Scholar
Hartle, D. 1967. Archaeology in eastern Nigeria. Nigeria Magazine 93:134143.Google Scholar
Hartle, D. 1966. Archaeology survey in eastern Nigeria. West African Archaeological Newsletter 2.Google Scholar
Hua, Q, Barbetti, M, Rakowski, AZ. 2013. Atmospheric radiocarbon for the period 1950–2010. Radiocarbon 55(4):20592072.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ibeanu, A. 2000. A contribution to the archaeology of Okigwe and its environs [unpublished PhD thesis]. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.Google Scholar
Ikegwu, J. 2014. Archaeological study of Ozizza in Afikpo north local government area, Ebonyi state, Nigeria [unpublished PhD thesis]. University of Nigeria, Nsukka.Google Scholar
Obi, GC, Okogbue, CO, Nwajide, CS. 2001. Evolution of Enugu Cuesta: a tectonically driven erosional process. Global Journal of Pure Applied Sciences 7:321330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ofomata, GEK. 1978. Environment & man. In: Ofomata, GEK, editor. The Nsukka Environment, Enugu, Fourth Dimension Publishers. p. 475486.Google Scholar
Okafor, E. 1992. Early iron-smelting in Nsukka, Nigeria: information from slags and residues [unpublished PhD thesis]. Sheffield: University of Sheffield.Google Scholar
Okafor, E. 1993. New Evidence on early iron smelting from southeastern Nigeria. In: Shaw, T, Sinclair, P, Andah, B, Okpoko, A, editors. The archaeology of Africa: food, metals and towns. London: Routledge Publishing.Google Scholar
Okafor, E, Patricia, P. 1992. New 14C ages from Nsukka, Nigeria, and the origins of African metallurgy. Antiquity 66:686688.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Okaigbo, BN. 1980. Ahiajioku lecture. Published by Imo State Ministry of Culture.Google Scholar
Okpoko, AI, Ibeanu, AM. 1999. Early metal-working in Nigeria. In: Okpoko, AI, editor. Africa’s indigenous technology: with particular reference to Nigeria. Ibadan, Nigeria: Wisdom Publishers. p. 3446.Google Scholar
Opata, C, Eze-Uzomaka, P. 2012. Beyond stereotypes: gender and politics in iron smelting society of Lejja, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities.Google Scholar
Pole, LM. 2010. The hammers of Mawu: ironworking traditions in the Togo Hills, Ghana. African Archaeology Review 27:4378.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reimer, PJ, Bard, E, Bayliss, A, Beck, JW, Blackwell, PG, Bronk Ramsey, C, Buck, C, Cheng, H, Edwards, RL, Friedrich, M, Grootes, PM, Guilderson, TP, Haflidason, H, Hajdas, I, Hatté, C, Heaton, TJ, Hoffmann, DL, Hogg, AG, Hughen, KA, Kaiser, KF, Kromer, B, Manning, SW, Niu, M, Reimer, RW, Richards, DA, Scott, EM, Southon, JR, Staff, RA, Turney, CSM, van der Plicht, J. 2013. IntCal13 and Marine13 radiocarbon age calibration curves 0–50,000 years cal BP. Radiocarbon 55(4):18691887.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Umeji, P, Ibeanu, M, Agwu, C. 2012. Holocene human occupation of the eastern Nigerian scarp lands: an impact assessment study. Quaternary International 262(7):213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar