Members of the archaeological excavation team at Ngre Kataa. Team members included graduate students from the University of Ghana and from North America, a representative of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and Banda men from Ahenkro and Nyrie. Back row (L-R): Amy Groleau, Kofi Paul, Yaw Frimpong, Kofi "Photo" Manu, Felix Ochra, Mr. Monney, Nelson Anane, Sampson Fordjour, Yaw Mensah, Enoch Mensah, Ben Nutor, Amanda Logan, Osei Kofi. Front row (L-R): Ann Stahl, J. K. Mensah, Idrusu, Abass Iddrisu, Kofi Nsia, Kwakye Eric. Ngre Kataa, 19 July, 2008.
Banda Research Project team members Kofi Paul and Kofi Nsia screen soil from a Mound 7 excavation unit at Ngre Kataa as team member Idrusu brings another headpan of soil. The excavated soil is sieved through 1/4 inch mesh screen in order to recover artifacts (fragments of pottery, metals, beads, animal bone) that will be bagged, cataloged and studied. Studying these objects and the contexts from which they were recovered (their provenience) helps archaeologists to learn about the daily lives of past people. Ngre Kataa, 9 July, 2008.
A twinned lost wax cast copper alloy figurine from Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 44N 6W, Feature 5 cluster. Archaeologists interpret the Feature 5 cluster as a shrine placed among metalworking facilities. Height: 5.9 cm. Weight: 31.3 g. Ngre Kataa, 19 July, 2008.
Iron slag is formed as a byproduct of iron smelting. Here a large slag nodule has broken in half, revealing its interior texture. At the archaeological site of Ngre Kataa, large chunks of 'bubbly' slag like this were occasionally found in household and other contexts, away from areas otherwise associated with metal-working activities. Potters at the time of the site's occupation had begun to use crushed iron slag as a tempering agent in their potting clays, which may explain why large nodules were being carried and cached in areas away from metal-working locations. Ngre Kataa, June, 2008.
Members of the Banda Research Project work together to map profile walls in a 2 x 2 m unit in mound 7 at Ngre Kataa. Left (white hat), Enoch Mensah measures from a level line while Amy Groleau (red shirt) records measurements in preparation for drawing the profile map. With their backs to the camera, Osei Kofi (left) and Amana Logan (right) work as a team to map the opposite wall. Ngre Kataa, 19 July 2008.
Yaw Frimpong uses a short-handled hoe with a wide blade to loosen and remove soil from an excavation unit (46N 8W) in mound 6 at Ngre Kataa. A second short-handled hoe with a narrower, thicker blade rests on the ground (foreground). To the right, colored flags mark artifacts previously excavated by Ben Nutour using a trowel and left insitu. Foreground is a coiled iron bangle/bracelet (SF 08-140), behind which is a partial large pottery bowl. Further excavations yielded a concentration of iron bangles and other objects suggestive of a shrine cluster in this and adjacent excavation units at mound 6. Ngre Kataa, 9 July 2008.
Tanged iron blade with pointed tip (left) and rounded shoulders. Two large concretions adhere to the blade's corroded surface. The tang (right) would have allowed the blade to be hafted to a wooden or bamboo shaft or handle. If hafted to a long shaft, it may have been used as a spear (chombo in Nafaanra). This artifact was found closely associated with a copper alloy twinned figurine, an iron bangle, a rounded quartz pebble and several other objects, which archaeologists interpret as a shrine cluster. The cluster was placed among metal-working features in a metallurgical workshop. Scale in cm. Length: 8.6 cm. Weight: 12.6 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 19 July 2008.
Triangular-headed iron projectile point with a barb at the head's base (left) and a long tang (right). To make an arrow (snini in Nafaanra), the tang was inserted into a straight shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood to which it was hafted. This artifact was found in an area (mound 7) that archaeologists interpret as a house mound. The projectile point shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 9 cm. Weight: 9.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July, 2008.
Triangular-headed iron projectile point with a single barb at the base of its head (left) and a long thin tang (right). To make an arrow (snini in Nafaanra), the tang was inserted into a shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood to which it was hafted. The artifact shows signs of corrosion. The point was excavated from a deep midden mound in an disturbed by a pig burrow. Scale in cm. Length: 12.4 cm. Weight: 14.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 25 June, 2008.
Triangular-headed projectile point with barbs on either side of the head's base (left). Its long tang (right) is bent. To make an arrow (snini in Nafaanra), the tang was inserted into a straight shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood to which it was hafted. This artifact was found in an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The projectile point shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 9.8 cm. Weight: 10.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 5 July, 2008.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 44N 6W, Level 3; piece plot: 67-71 cm S, 142-156 W
View from above of an insitu grinding stone (GS 08-03) and a pottery jar (NK 08-176) at the base of excavation level 3 in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The grinding stone has a concave upper surface, partly obscured by unexcavated soil. Roots and rootlets are visible on the right side of the photo. Photo stick marked in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 July 2008.
Photo of a globular pottery jar (NK 08-176) found in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The pot was found sitting next to a large grinding stone (GS 08-03). The jar's lip is slightly everted and its upper surface is undecorated. A horizontal band of contiguous diagonal impressions marked in alternating directions ("/\/\") appears above the jar's rounded shoulder. Its lower body and base are darkened and surface treated with fiber roulette impression. Rim diameter: 18cm at exterior lip. Vessel height (base to rim): 17 cm. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 July 2008.
A group of insitu artifacts interpreted by archaeologists as a shrine cluster, located in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The cluster included a lost-wax-cast twinned figurine (bottom center), an iron bangle (center), a waterworn quartz pebble, a bone fragment (upper left of bangle), a broken iron blade (left of the bone fragment) and a tanged iron blade (upper left of the bangle). An irregularly shaped quartzite cobble (upper left) may have been part of the cluster. Photo scale in cm, arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 19 July 2008.
Iron projectile point fragment. The elongated head (left) has a single barb at its base and a short tang (right). The point has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 11.3 cm. Weight: 14 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 26 June 2008.
Photo of a pottery jar with a slightly everted rim (NK 08-406), found insitu in an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Above its rounded shoulder, the jar's surface is undecorated, with the possible exception of traces of red pigment in some areas. The jar's shoulder is decorated with a band of circular punctates interspersed with cross-hatched designs, repeated twice around the jar's circumference. Its base and lower body are surface treated with cord roulette in a zone bounded by a band of diagonal impressions which create a zigzag design ("/\/\"). The jar is fire-clouded in zones across its surface. The jar was found in the vicinty of a grinding stone (GS 08-10), a partial tuyere (NK 08-284) and a burned feature. Rim diameter at exterior lip: 20 cm. Vessel height: 19 cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
Excavations in units 42N 4W and 44N 4W have exposed clusters of pottery, grinding stones, tuyeres and an area of burned soil associated with metal working at mound 6, Ngre Kataa. Foreground, bottom right, are a partial pottery jar (NK 08-520) and a small flat grinding stone (GS 08-12; partially visible). To the left (west), framed by photo scales, is a burned feature. Next to it sits a hand-held hammerstone (GS 08-11). Above (to the north), a cluster of pottery and a partial tuyere (NK 08-284) are visible along the boundary between excavation units (marked by stakes). To the right of that cluster (east), a grinding stone (GS 08-10) has been pedestaled where it was found, resting with its working surface face down. Two pottery vessels sit at a slightly lower level (NK 08-406). Top center of the photo, at the far end of the excavated area, a cluster of anvil stones is visible (GS 08-05 to 08) in excavation unit 46N 4W. Photo scale adjacent to burned feature marked in 5 cm intervals. View looking north. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July 2008.
Wide view of excavation unit 44N 6W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Lower left, below the unit's corner stake (44N 6W), the partial rim of an everted jar (NK 08-408) has been pedestaled. It rests with its rim down. Between it and a large anvil stone (GS 08-25, center photo) is a smaller light-colored stone (GS 08-21) and piece of a jar rim. Another jar rim (NK 08-409) has been pedestaled in place to the left (east) of the anvil stone. Behind the anvil stone, an everted-rim jar (NK 08-407, photo stick in front) has been partially exposed. In the unit's center, to the right of the anvil stone, the rounded edge of a burned feature is visible. To the right (west) and in front (north) of that, a photo scale sits alongside an iron projectile point (SF 08-112). The soil around it has been dampened to aid excavation (dark circular area). To its right (west) is another piece of a worn grinding stone (GS 08-20). Visible in the adjacent units (left, east) is a grindstone (GS 08-10) which has been pedestaled in place and to its right a cluster of pottery and a tuyere (NK 08-284). View looking south. Photo bar marked in 5 cm intervals. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-182) made by coiling a flat iron rod with thinned pointed ends. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and artifacts (cluster A). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 8.2 cm. Weight: 38.8 cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-183) made from a spiral-twisted round iron rod with overlapping ends. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and a dog cranium and jaws (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 9.5 cm. Weight: 115.5 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
A barrel-shaped drawn glass bead (SF 08-234), opaque yellow in color. The bead is somewhat asymmetrical in shape and has angled ends. Compositional analysis of the bead (via LA-ICP-MS) showed it be made of mineral soda alumina (m-Na-Al) glass, probably produced in South Asia. The bead was found in the fill of a feature adjacent to a circular area of burned soil in a context (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Scale in cm. Length: 4.6 mm. Weight: 0.18 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
The body and base of a large pottery bowl has been exposed by exavation in unit 46N 8W. Surrounding this bowl was a cluster of sherds from other pottery vessels, now removed to expose several iron bangles of different shapes and sizes, seen insitu here. Between the bowl and the photo scale is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-169) formed from a spiral-twisted rod. Pedestaled to the right of the bowl (east) is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-140) made from a round rod that was coiled. Visible in the wall behind and to the right of the bowl (north) is a smalled coiled iron bangle made from a flattened piece of iron (SF NK 08-182). This cluster (A) was part of a larger cluster (A-D) of artifacts that archaeologists interpret as a shrine placed in a metallurgical workshop. Rootlets are visible in the wall and floor of the unit. View looking north. Photo scale in 5 cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-184) made by coiling a flattened iron rod, its ends rounded and overlapping. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and a dog cranium and jaws (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 6.9 cm. Weight: 39.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 48N 8W, Level 2. Piece plot: 121-127 cm S, 140-150 S, 53-58 cm bd
A cluster of four large insitu anvil/grinding stones in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The stone at the bottom of the photo (GS 08-06) was oriented with its grinding surface down (not, therefore, visible in the photo). The middle right stone (GS 08-07) also rested with its most-used grinding surface down. The largest stone (middle, left, GS 08-05) had no clear working surface. The stone at the back (GS 08-08) was associated with a fist-sized round quartz hammerstone, seen insitu slightly above. Later exavations (2009) revealed a perforated pot (NK 09-750), lidded with the base of another pot (NK 09-750), adjacent to but approximately 40 cm below this cluster in the next excavation unit. Photo scale in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north, view looking east. Site Ngre Kataa. 3 July 2008.
A small round stone (GS 08-11) rests insitu next to an irregularly shaped area of burned fire-hardened sediment in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The stone has wear consistent with use as a hammerstone. The burned sediment was next to a circular area of soil that showed signs of oxidation through exposure to high heat. A small piece of copper alloy metal lies at the edge of the fire-hardened sediment, to the left of the hammerstone and above the right site of the photo stick. The feature is likely associated with forging activities. Photo scale at bottom marked in 5 cm intervals. View from above, north at top of photo. Site Ngre Kataa. 5 July 2008.
Photo of a pottery jar with a slightly everted rim (NK 08-406), found insitu in an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Above its rounded shoulder, the jar's surface is undecorated, with the possible exception of traces of red pigment in some areas. The jar's shoulder is decorated with a band of circular punctates interspersed with cross-hatched designs, repeated twice around the jar's circumference. Its base and lower body are surface treated with cord roulette in a zone bounded by a band of diagonal impressions which create a zigzag design ("/\/\"). The jar is fire-clouded in zones across its surface. The jar was found in the vicinty of a grinding stone (GS 08-10), a partial tuyere (NK 08-284) and a burned feature. Rim diameter at exterior lip: 20 cm. Vessel height: 19 cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
The body and base of a large pottery bowl has been exposed by exavation in unit 46N 8W. Surrounding this bowl was a cluster of sherds from other pottery vessels, now removed to expose several iron bangles of different shapes and sizes, seen insitu here. At the base of the photo, center, is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-169) formed from a spiral-twisted rod. Pedestaled to the right of the bowl (east) is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-140) made from a round rod that was coiled. Visible in the wall behind and to the right of the bowl (north; above the photo scale) is a small coiled iron bangle made from a flattened piece of iron (SF NK 08-182). A smaller bangle-like artifact lies directly above the pot, center photo (north; SF 08-139). This area (cluster A) was part of a larger cluster (clusters A-D) of artifacts that archaeologists interpret as a shrine placed in a metallurgical workshop. Rootlets are visible in the wall and floor of the unit. View from above, north at top of photo. Photo scale in cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-140) made by coiling a round iron rod with thinned pointed ends. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and artifacts (cluster A). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 8.8 cm. Weight: 40 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-139) made by coiling a flat iron rod. One end is pointed, the other squared. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and artifacts (cluster A). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 6.1 cm. Weight: 21.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-169) made from a round iron rod that has been spiral-twisted. The bangle's ends are flattened and overlap slightly. The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and artifacts (cluster A). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that capped a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 9.1 cm. Weight: 96.8 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 14 July 2008.
A triangular-headed iron projectile point (SF 08-112a) exposed insitu in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The point's long tang (left) is bent in a way that made it unusable. The soil around the point has been moistened by excavators to facilitate excavation. The point was found in the vicinity of burned features and anvil stones. Photo scale in cm. View looking south. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July 2008.
A triangular-headed iron projectile point (SF 08-112a) with barbs at the head's base (left) and a long tang (right). The tang is bent, making it unusable. To make an arrow (snini in Nafaanra), the long tang would be inserted into a straight shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood. The point was exposed insitu in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. It was found in the vicinity of burned features and anvil stones. The point shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 9.8 cm. Weight: 10.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July 2008.
An arc of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster that extended into adjacent units (where the trunk of a small tree is visible, upper left). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. Center photo, flanked by photo scales, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the right (east) of the burned features, two hammerstones rest insitu next to one another. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Far right, archaeologist Abass Iddrisu uses a trowel to expose the contours of burned sediment in an adjacent excavation unit. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
A large grinding stone (GS 08-04) rests insitu along the south edge of unit 48N 4W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The stone's visible surface is concave in profile, a result of use. The surface that is oriented face down exhibited greater wear from grinding. The white marks on the stone's upper surface were created by excavators' tools as they dug. A piece of copper alloy rod (greenish in color, SF 08-53) is visible insitu in soil below the center of the grindstone. Root fragments are seen in the surrounding soil. Photo scale in cm. View looking south. Site Ngre Kataa. 1 July 2008.
A small piece of slag (top) and a copper alloy ( brass) rod fragment (bottom, SF 08-053). The greenish hue of the rod is a product of weathering. These artifacts were found next to one another in unit 48N 4W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. They were found adjacent to and below a large grinding stone (GS 08-04). Site Ngre Kataa. 1 July 2008.
An iron bangle (SF 08-184) made by coiling a flattened iron rod, its ends rounded and overlapping. The bangle was found in association with a concentration of artifacts, including pottery, other iron bangles, a dog skull and jaw bones (cluster B), that archaeologists interpret as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D). This feature capped stratigraphic layers in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 6.9 cm. Weight: 39.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 15 July 2008.
An arc of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster (A-D) that extended into adjacent units (where the trunk of a small tree is visible, above left of the sign board). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. The everted rim of a pottery jar visible in the north wall of the excavation unit (top left) was part of an adjacent cluster (B) that also included iron bangles (SF 08-183 & 184). Center photo, flanked by a photo scale, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the right (east) of the burned features, two hammerstones rest insitu next to one another. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
View looking northward of early stage excavations at mound 6, Ngre Kataa, an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Center view is of units 42-48N 4W. In foreground, excavations in units 42N 4W and 44N 4W ave exposed clusters of pottery, a grinding stones, tuyeres and an area of burned soil associated with metal working. Foreground, bottom right, are a partial pottery jar (NK 08-520) and to its right (east) a small flat grinding stone (GS 08-12; ). To the left (west), framed by photo scales, is a burned feature. Next to it sits a hand-held hammerstone (GS 08-11). Above (to the north), a cluster of pottery and a partial tuyere (NK 08-284) are visible along the boundary between excavation units (marked by stakes). To the right of that cluster (east), a grinding stone (GS 08-10) has been pedestaled where it was found, resting with its working surface face down. A whole pottery vessel sit at a slightly lower level (NK 08-406) a short distance away (south east). Top center of the photo, at the far end of the excavated area, a cluster of anvil stones is visible (GS 08-05 to 08) in excavation unit 46N 4W. Excavations in the adjacent unit (46N 2W) in 2009 revealed a perforated shrine pot resting at a slightly lower level next to these stones. Photo scale adjacent to burned feature marked in 5 cm intervals. View looking north. Site Ngre Kataa. 5 July 2008.
A small round stone (GS 08-11) rests insitu next to an irregularly shaped area of burned fire-hardened sediment in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The stone has wear consistent with use as a hammerstone. The burned sediment was next to a circular area of soil that showed signs of oxidation through exposure to high heat. A small piece of copper alloy metal lies at the edge of the fire-hardened sediment, to the right (west) of the hammerstone. The feature is likely associated with forging activities. The narrow dark lines in the soil are traces of animal burrowing activity. Photo scale by sign board in cm increments. View from above, arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 7 July 2008.
Excavations on the south edge of unit 44N 4W have exposed a cluster of insitu pottery and a tuyere fragment in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Foreground, broken pieces of a pottery jar lie with their exterior surfaces facing down. Behind them and left rests a tuyere fragment (NK 08-284), its circular cross-section visible in front of the sign board. To the right (west) of this cluster is an area of dark reddened soil, one of many examples of burned soil in this area where metals were worked. This diffuse area of reddened soil extended underneath the sherd cluster, center photo. To the right, embedded in the balk behind the north arrow (to its south), the tip of a partial iron point (SF 08-159) is visible (right of the circular patch of dark soil). Photo scale in front marked in cm. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 July 2008.
An arc of orange-red burned features is being revealed by excavations in units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster that extended into adjacent units (where the everted jar rim is visible in the north wall, upper left). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Far right, archaeologist Abass Iddrisu uses a trowel to expose the contours of burned sediment in an adjacent excavation unit. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 July 2008.
An area of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Left, back (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster (A-D) that extended into adjacent units. The everted jar rim visible in the north wall of the excavation (upper right) was part of this wider set (cluster B). The base of these clusters was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo, which were likely associated with metal forging. Center photo, flanked by a photo scale, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the north of the burned features (right, foreground), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
Archaeologist Ben Nutor uses a trowel to scrape soil from around a cluster of objects that archaeologists interpret as a shrine feature (cluster A) in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). An orange flag marks the location of an iron bangle (SF 08-140), the first of four that were found surrounding the large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) seen partially exposed in front of Nutor. An iron headpan used to carry dirt for screening sits nearby. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2008.