Format: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Kingsley Chinedu Daraojimba, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria; University of Cambridge, UK, kingsley.daraojimba@unn.edu.ng; kd516@cam.ac.uk
Kolawole Adekola, Dept of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; The Cyprus Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus, kolawole.adekola@gmail.com; k.adekola@cyi.ac.cy
This session focuses on the diverse and dynamic archaeological heritage of Nigeria, a country with a rich tapestry of histories that spans from the Stone Age to the historic period. Nigeria’s archaeological record offers unparalleled insights into the origins and development of complex societies, long-distance trade networks, early agricultural practices and cultural transformations in West Africa. Sites across the country reveal profound achievements in technology, art, and social organisation, showcasing the ingenuity and resilience of past societies. Despite over eighty years since the first scientific excavation in Nigeria, archaeological research and teaching have progressed gradually, yet remain constrained by significant challenges. This session aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders to discuss recent research, ongoing challenges, and future directions in Nigerian archaeology. Topics will encompass, but not limited to, the application of GIS and remote sensing to site identification and analysis, pottery and material culture analysis, environmental archaeology, archaeometallurgy, women’s contribution to archaeology, reports of new excavations and archaeological discoveries. Additionally, the session will address the role of archaeology in preserving cultural heritage amid threats such as urbanisation, looting, conflict and climate change. By promoting interdisciplinary approaches and fostering community collaborations, the session seeks to foster discussions on how archaeological research in Nigeria contributes to a deeper understanding of the past while contributing to heritage management, education and public engagement. Participants will also explore how Nigeria’s archaeological heritage can be leveraged for sustainable development, cultural tourism, and national identity. This session is an invitation to celebrate Nigeria’s archaeological legacy, engage with cutting-edge research, and collaborate on preserving its heritage for future generations.
Papers:
Ancient Environment and Human Adaptation: Insight from Duiker Mesowear Analysis in South-Western Nigeria
Segun Moses Okegbile, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
This study investigates the environment of southwestern Nigeria by analysing the dental apparatus of duiker through mesowear analysis. The research focuses on creating a comparative framework to identify evolutionary and ecological trends. This approach allowed for comparisons across species and regions, highlighting how animals have adapted and responded to environmental changes.
Mesowear analysis, a technique commonly used in palaeontology and archaeology, examines the wear patterns on the teeth of herbivorous animals. It specifically looks at the shape and relief of occlusal (chewing) surfaces, particularly molars, to infer the dietary habits of both extinct and living species. By analysing the degree of wear and the types of wear facets on the teeth, researchers can deduce the types of food consumed and, by extension, gain insights into the environments these animals lived in.
Mesowear analysis offers distinct advantages for studying ancient herbivores. Unlike dental microwear, which focuses on finer-scale wear patterns, mesowear examines broader wear features that are less susceptible to post-mortem damage, making it a more reliable method for studying fragmented or poorly preserved specimens. While stable isotope analysis provides chemical insights into diet, mesowear reveals wear patterns that indicate specific types of vegetation, such as grasses or leaves, offering a clearer understanding of dietary preferences and ecological niches.
From the analysis, the results show that samples from our duikers 1, 3, and 4 have sharp teeth and were predominantly found in the rainforest environment, while samples from duikers 2 and 5 were from mixed vegetation and had mixed diets.
Between 15th and 19th Centuries: Historical Archaeology of Apa, Badagry, Nigeria
Abdulmalik Abdulmalik Abdulrahman, Sainsbury Research Unit of Arts of African, Oceania and the Americans, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Archaeological investigations have proven that areas of West Africa’s coastline have been occupied for at least 3000 years, while historical records show that the region was an important interaction zone between Europeans and West Africans in the past 500 years. Previous archaeological studies of this later period focused on the polities slightly inland and environmental reconstruction, but the context of European-West African interactions is poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, there was a need for an investigation of the Old Apa settlement, which was once a slave port and is one of the oldest historical sites that contributed to the Atlantic trade networks. This paper presents a preliminary report of the recent archaeological investigation carried out at the Old Apa settlement in Badadgry, Nigeria. This employs interdisciplinary methods, including archaeological surveys and excavations, collections of oral traditions, consultation of written sources, experimental study, and data analyses. The results of the investigation reveal the nature of the material culture of the region, the nature of the engagements and entanglements between West African societies and European communities, and the changes in the materiality and heritages of the region, with an influence of European interactions during the Atlantic period.
Exploring Pits and Domestic Life in Early Igbo-Ukwu, Nigeria
Kingsley Chinedu Daraojimba, Dept of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Nigeria Nsukka; McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge
Pits are a prominent feature in global archaeology, often serving as valuable sources of information on past activities such as food storage, waste disposal, burial practices, and ritual behaviours. In Africa, archaeological investigations have revealed that pits frequently contain materials such as intact pots, broken vessels, charcoal, bones, fired clay fragments, and metal objects, reflecting diverse functions. At Igbo-Ukwu in southeastern Nigeria, pioneering excavations by Thurstan Shaw identified several pit features, including possible filled-in cisterns, refuse pits, and others of uncertain purpose. Recent excavations at Igbo IDU II, a newly identified site in Igbo-Ukwu, have revealed pit features containing intricately decorated ceramics characteristic of ancient Igbo-Ukwu ceramics, with associated radiocarbon dates confirming their antiquity. However, the specific use and function of these pits remained unclear. This study interrogates the potential roles of these pits and their broader implications for understanding the organisation of domestic space in ancient Igbo society. Through the application of geochemical analyses and archaeological characterisation of the features, the research offers new interpretations of these features, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics within this early complex community.
Unearthing Medieval West Africa: Archaeological Research Trends on Settlement and Material Culture in Ilorin, Northern Yorubaland
Bolaji Josephine Owoseni, University of East Anglia, UK
This paper explores the evolution of archaeological research methodologies in Ilorin, a historically significant frontier of the Oyo Empire in northern Yorubaland. Beginning in 2019, my research applied traditional archaeological techniques such as survey and excavations, alongside public engagement, to uncover settlement subsistence and material culture, revealing insights into the settlement’s medieval past within broader Yorubaland. By 2023 the research approach expanded to incorporate scientific techniques, particularly ceramic analysis, to refine understanding of technological developments and cultural dynamics between the 6th and 16th centuries. In 2025, the focus broadened to include neighbouring Shao Town, a key centre of socio-political interaction under the Oyo empire, and provided a comparative perspective on the northern Yoruba frontier. These projects contribute to the archaeology of northern Yorubaland and represent a significant step in understanding the broader archaeology of Yorubaland and West Africa. The studies reflect the ongoing advancement of archaeological methods in the region and their growing impact on the interpretation of medieval African societies. Ultimately, this study highlights the continuous development of archaeological approaches in West Africa, offering valuable insights into settlement developments, material culture, trade, and socio-political interactions.
Practicing Field Archaeology in Northern Nigeria: Lock-ins and Pathways to Resolutions
Mustakim Habibu Sulaiman, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Northern Nigeria
Practicing field archaeology in the vast and complex geocultural regions of northern Nigeria is fraught with challenges that constraints the effective actualisation of archaeological research in terms of achieving the targeted academic aims and community development goals. These intricate deeply rooted challenges in the existing systems that limited choices and opportunities are termed lock-ins. The lock-ins in these regions includes institutional, sociocultural (which are at the fore front) and then economic, technological and political. The primary objective of this research is to bring to the fore the types, nature, impacts of these lock-ins, and suggests pathways for proactive solutions that benefits both the Academia and Public. The research methodology employed a design that draws from the practical archaeological field experiences in the regions, engagements with different stakeholders, the use of technologies and consultation of secondary sources of data. The paper sheds light on the types, nature, magnitude of the impacts of these lock-ins on the practice of field archaeology, and offers a road map aimed at building hands-on strategies for effective and holistic practices that improves research conditions and outcomes, sustainable heritage management, and facilitation of sustainable human development.
Gender Bias in Archaeological Research: Female Archaeologists and the Institution of Masked Spirit in Southeast Nigeria
Kenechukwu Chidiogo Daniel and Uchenna Henrietta Obieluem, Dept of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Mask spirit is integral to the culture, traditional religion and political structures of the Igbo of southeastern Nigeria and other West African societies. They are often linked to groups like the Mmọnwụ (mask spirit or spirit being) societies, which regulate social norms and maintain cultural heritage. These societies are generally male-dominated, and women, except the elderly and postmenopausal women (usually called Oyimamma), are often restricted from participation or access to a deeper knowledge of the activities of the societies. Despite the era of globalisation, where access to information is increasingly becoming open, female researchers often face exclusion from the significant knowledge domains traditionally dominated by men. This study examines how gender bias in accessing mask spirit institutions influences archaeological interpretations and reconstructions of history and the implications of restricted knowledge on the broader understanding of the cultural heritage of Southeast Nigeria. Ethnographic data were collected from two local communities (Nru and Ukehe) in the region. Research findings suggest that excluding female archaeologists from the activities of the mask spirit institutions increases the chances of biased cultural interpretations by omitting women’s perspectives and perpetuating gender inequality in archaeology, limiting research depth and hindering gender equity in the field.
Nuclear Analytical Techniques and Archaeo-metallurgy of Ancient Iron Workings in Northwestern Nigeria
Rabiu Yusuf, Dept of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Between the early 1960s and 1990s, archaeological research in Nigeria relied heavily on artefact categorisation, ethnographic and historical inferences and relative chronology. However, recent strides in nuclear application and the rapid development in archaeological science is rapidly changing this phase. This paper presents the preliminary report of an archaeo-metallurgical investigation using Nuclear Analytical Techniques at Zangon Tama ironworking site in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria, as part of PhD thesis research. Zangon Tama was one of the iron smelting sites within the Sokoto region.
Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersal Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) were adopted for the analyses. For the purpose of AMS radio-carbon dating of the iron smelting, charcoal samples that are closely associated with the iron smelting at Zangon tama site were used. The result of this research is beginning to show the importance of nuclear science in understanding iron smelting that was practiced by the past smelters in northwestern Nigeria and the influences and cross-cultural interactions between the region and other iron smelting sites within Africa and parts of the World.