ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF OZIZZA IN AFIKPO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

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ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDY OF OZIZZA IN AFIKPO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Archaeological excavations and documentation carried out in Eastern Nigeria in the past (1957 – 2000) had posited that Nsukka-Okigwe-Afikpo cuesta was the origin of Igbo settlement. Particularly, the discovery and archaeological investigations at Igbo-Ukwu brought Igboland/South Eastern Nigeria to archaeological limelight (Shaw, 1970). It proves that the natural sandstone ridges in Afikpo with rockshelters and caves had been used as dwelling places for the prehistoric and historic peoples of the study area. The sites and rockshelters, therefore, served the earliest habitation/settlements for the inhabitants before their migration to the present location.

Afikpo sites are located on the north to south trending Cuesta with its east facing scarpslope rising between 200-300m above the Cross River plains. The Cuesta is formed by the resistant sandstones of the Mamu formation and the lower part of Ajalli formation (Obi et al 2001; Ofomata, 1978). Some scholars have investigated archaeological sites in parts of the Cuesta, such as iron smelting sites in Nsukka-Udi area (Anozie, 1979 and Okafor 1993). In Okigwe area, stone tools factory sites were discovered at Ugwuele as well as iron smelting sites, and also caves/ rockshelters have been documented and investigated (Anozie et al, 1978; Chigbu 1986; Okpoko and Ekechukwu, 1993; Okpoko and Ibeanu, 1994; Ibeanu 2000 and 2005; Ezeadichie, 2000; Ekechukwu, 2002 and Ibeanu et al, 2001 and Umeji, 1995; Umeji et al., 2012). These studies clearly showed the intense human activities and resource exploitation along the north-south trending Cuesta. For examples, in Okigwe area, the caves/rockshelters according to oral traditions were former abode of Ibin Ukpabi who served as an oracle in Okigwe area but later left for Afikpo and lastly Arochukwu area of the Cuesta. It is interesting to note that oral tradition from Ozizza Community continues to maintain that Ozizza cave was occupied by Ibin Ukpabi, the evidence of which, according to our sources, was the supposed staff of office still imbedded in the cave. For example, theEzemairo cave of Ozizza is believed to be the house of Ibin Ukpabi before he migrated to Arochukwu. According to our informant, an iron staff was found lying in the middle of the cave, and oral tradition maintained that this belonged to Ibin Ukpabi who used the cave as his abode. Attempt to retrieve this ‘staff of office’ was not possible because of fear of the mythical python believed to inhabit the cave

However, in Ozizza, unlike other communities in other Cuesta example, in Okigwe, the knowledge of iron smelting was not observed vis-à-vis in other Afkpo sites. The Afikpo section of the Cuesta seems to be better endowed with pottery making. This occupational difference may be reflective of diverse natural resources and the adaptive human groups that did and still occupy different parts of the Cuesta. The rockshelter at Ozizza is called Ogba-eju.Ozizza, like other Afikpo communities, is characterized by hills, undulating landscapes and rockshelters that were separated from a narrow valley with series of sandstone ridges. It is almost surrounded by seasonal streams and tributaries of the Cross-River (Fig. I).

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Although there has been archaeological research done in the cuesta, this research arose owing to the fact that there has not been a systematic study of archaeological study of Ozizza. Therefore, this study aims at comparing other archaeological works done in the area and its environs with a view to understanding and throwing more light on the human occupation of the area.

1.2 Research Aims and Objectives

This research has the following specific aims and objectives:

To locate sites and features in Ozizza, Afikpo with a view to determining the human occupations of the area.

To study oral traditions and ethnographic data, in order to interpret and understand archaeological materials and features in Afikpo sites.

To carry out survey of the site, and examine the features and excavation of the site in an attempt to collect materials relevant for understanding the history and activities of the study area.

To compare this research with other works already done in Afikpo by Hartle (1967), Chikwendu, (1976) Andah and Anozie (1980/81) with the aim of deciphering the similarities and differences in the cultural materials as well as determine cultural continuity or otherwise through time.

To ascertain the contribution, if any, of these archaeological sites and features in Afikpo to cultural tourism (development) in the study area.

1.3 Research Scope

For the purpose of in-depth investigation, the research covered Ozizza Community which has the following villages: Amainyime, Amaeta, Amorie and Urrah. These villages are known for pottery making and fish-netting. Pottery making was examined at Amaeta Village, fish-netting and fishing at Urrah beach, while some rock shelters such as Amainyime rockshelters were investigated archaeologically. Hunting and trapping expedition at Amainyime rock shelters, and finally, cultural festivals were studied in Ozizza Community. Ozizza was chosen because it had the various avenues that enabled the researcher to do thorough research. For example, numerous rock shelters, pottery making centres, beaches or banks and even cultural festivals such as wrestling (mgba) were highlighted.

1.4 Research Limitations

The major limitations encountered during the research were as follows: (1) long distance trekking from Ozizza Town Hall to the rock shelters at Ogba-eju. The distance was about 4.44km as was measured during mapping of the site. It is roughly on a rugged foot path. The area is characterized by undulating residual hills. (2) It was characterized with flooded terrain during the peak of the rainy season. This means that fieldwork can only be possible during the peak of dry season – December to April. (3) Inaccessibility of the historic cave/rock shelter of the people of Ozizza to non-indigenes. The reason had been that the cave possesses a shrine that serves as the worldview of the entire Afikpo. According to Chief Inya, the community leader of Amainyime clan, lots of abolitions and sacrifices would be performed before foreigners could gain access to the cave. For him, the cave holds them together. This reservation made our local guide unwilling to give us any vital information about the cave. Only one friendly guide pointed to the location of the cave. He also took us at proximity and only identified a spot where drinkable water was falling down a hilly slope that continues throughout the year. (4) Long trekking to Urrah Beach.

1.5 Research Design (Method of the Research)

The study adopted archaeological survey and ethnographic methods, as well as scientific analyses of recovered artefacts, ecofacts and features. Archaeological survey was embedded in the use of archaeological reconnaissance based on the use of oral tradition. In this process, Ezemairo Cave and Ogba-eju Rockshelters were located belonging to Amaori and Amainyime respectively in Ozizza.The information was deciphered from hunters and farmers. Cultural materials were collected at the surface. Rockshelter Ten (RS/10) was excavated to gain more information regarding the usage through time. A test pit excavation was carried out owing to its rich cultural materials, and not on deposits.

Again, through ethnographic method, the Ozizza heritage resources such as settlement patterns, festivals, traditional technology as well as their scenic resources were identified.

Finally, analysis of samples was conducted on the following: Rockshelter deposits were screened for palynological studies to gather information on palaeo-environmental changes, Potsherds from the surface collection, the excavated ones and those collected from Ugwuegu and Ukpa rockshelters by Chikwendu and Hartle were subjected to Mineralogy and Petrography studies with a view to tracing the source of raw materials for pottery making in the entire area. Likewise, soil analysis was conducted to know the depositional history of the rockshelter and nearest neighbour analysis was also conducted to identify the proximity of the study area.

1.6 Definition of Basic Concepts

Defintion of Rockshelters, Caves and Cuesta

Rock shelters are naturally small boulders of rock which formed a narrow cavity having evidence of human activities. Rockshelters are natural overhangs or shallow caves that form on cliff faces and other steep rocky exposures (Umeji et al, 2012). Ezeadichie (2000) defined rock shelters as small caves originated through the process of chemical weathering and mass washing to form damp concavities at the foot of cliffs by the aid of rock fall. However, rockshelters are quite different from caves. Caves are large hollow, formed underground or above the ground, precisely on top of a rock reaching the surface or from the water. Lozek (1965) defined caves as large formation caused by erosional forces of corrosion, and corrosion often referred to as “solution cave”. Some caves may be narrow or deep and often become very impossible for human occupation. Owing to excessive cool caves environment, Stalagmites and stalactites are the two major formations generaly found in caves. Stalactite is the building up of a conical pillar deposit from underground water through the roof of cave, while stalagmite is also a conical pillar deposit projecting upwards from the floor of a cave. Renfrew and Bahn (2003) posit that stalagmites and stalactities, which occur inside cave as speleothems, are used for assessing accurate past climate based on the oxygen isotope technique. The scope of the work concentrated on the rock shelters.

Cuesta, according to Encarta Dictionary, is a ridge with a steep face on one side and a gentle slope on the other especially in the South Western United States. Cuesta by a layman is a residual hill.

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