Improving African Futures Using Lessons from the Past

Anvil stones in a metallurgical workshop, mound 6, Ngre Kataa, 2009


Description:
Excavations uncovered three insitu boulders placed in a row that were used as anvil stones in an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. Multiple surfaces of the boulders show signs of wear caused by hammering and grinding. Repeated use of the anvil stone in the foreground (GS 09-03) has created a clear depression on its upper surface and its left side is flattened by wear. The middle anvil stone (GS 09-02) has multiple depressions created by use on its upper surface. The anvil in the rear of the photo (GS 09-01) shows wear on its top and side surfaces, with dirt still embedded in a deep cup-shaped depression on its south-facing side in this photo. To the east (right) of the boulder in foreground, the flat surface of a grinding stone (GS 09-04) is visible in the east wall of the excavation unit. A broken pedestal base of a pot sits on its side to the east (right) of the middle anvil stone. In the upper left corner of the photo, a burned feature interpreted by archaeologists as the remains of a forge has been exposed. The red-and-white band above the photo sign is a two meter scale, marked in 10 cm increments. View looking north across two exavation units: 50N 2W (top of photo) and 48N 2W (bottom of photo). The 2x2m units have been excavated to slightly different depths. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19121 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19181 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19182
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Units 48N 2W and 50N 2W, Level 4
Date:
2009-06-01
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-01
Archaeological Phase:
Ngre phase (late)
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Source:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111