Two views of a twinned lost-wax cast copper alloy figurine from Kuulo Kataa, Mound 118, Unit 62W 4N, Level 3. Lower "foot" plate broken off from figurine body. Height: 3.7 cm. Weight: 13.2 g. Kuulo Kataa, 15 June, 1995.
Two views of a serpent-like figure made from an iron rod. The "head" of the direct metal sculpture resembles a triangular-tipped iron projectile point, similar to those found on the same site during the same time period. The body is formed by undulating S-shaped loops which are stacked atop one another to form the "tail." Kuulo Kataa, Mound 118, Unit 62W 4N, Level 1. Scale in cm. Length: 8.4 cm. 39.6 g. Kuulo Kataa, 15 June, 1995.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Kuulo Kataa, Mound 118, Unit 62W 4N, Level 1
Location(s) Facet:
Kuulo Kataa
Subjects:
Serpents
Subjects Facet:
Direct metal sculpture; Archaeology; Snakes; Iron; Projectile point; Artifacts (Antiquities)
Front and side views of a twinned, lost-wax-cast copper-alloy figurine from Kuulo Kataa, Mound 130, Unit 95E 108N, Level 2. Height: 3.9 cm. Weight: 3.8 g. Kuulo Kataa, 4 July, 2000.
Front and side views of a lost-wax cast copper alloy figurine from Kuulo Kataa, Mound 130, Unit 95E 108N, Level 3. Height: 3.5 cm. Weight: 2.4 g. Kuulo Kataa, 4 July, 2000.
A copper alloy finger ring made from a rod forged into undulating S-shaped loops and joined at its ends by a flat metal plate. Two views. From Kuulo Kataa, Mound 101, Unit 2W 2S, Level 7. Height: 1.4 cm. Width: 2.6 cm. Weight: 8.4 g. Kuulo Kataa, 9 June, 1995.
Kwasi Millah (left), aided by Daniel Kofi Nakpah (to his right, holding a bottle of drink), offers libations to Kuulo ancestors at the archaeological site of Kuulo Kataa. Left to right, archaeological team members Enoch Mensah, __, and Yaw Frimpong look on. Kuulo Kataa, July, 2000.
A crucible used to process copper alloys from Kuulo Kataa, Mound 130, Unit 95E 102N, Level 12. Crucibles like this would have been used to heat copper alloys to a liquid state for use in casting, including casting through a lost-wax process. Scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa, 27 June, 2000.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Kuulo Kataa, Mound 130, Unit 95E 102N, Level 12
Location(s) Facet:
Kuulo Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Handicraft; Metal casting; Metalworking; Copper alloys; Lost wax casting; Archaeology; Lost-wax process; Crucibles; Artifacts (Antiquities)
Banda Research Project team member Enoch Mensah stands at the base of a deep excavation unit (2W 2S) in Mound 101 at Kuulo Kataa. The 2 x 2 meter excavation unit at surface was narrowed to a 1 x 2 area in lower levels of the unit. He lifts up the ladder used to access the base of the unit. The stratified layers of the deep midden mound are visible in the unit's side walls. Kuulo Kataa, 1995.
A burned, irregularly shaped basin-like feature exposed in level 3 of unit 128W 26S, Mound 138, Kuulo Kataa. The presence of slag and burned features like this one suggest that Mound 138 was a place where the site's occupants worked metals. Kuulo Kataa, 15 July, 1995.
Two Banda Research Project team members screen excavated soil at Mound 102, Kuulo Kataa. The men work on the edge of a cleared area several meters away from excavation unit 55W 69N. Thick vegetation covers the mound behind them. A headpan of excavated soil sits in front, awaiting screening. After sieving the soil, the men carefully pick and bag artifacts (fragments of pottery, metals, beads, animal bone) left in the screen. Studying these artifacts and the contexts from which they were recovered (their provenience) helps archaeologists to learn about the daily lives of past people. Kuulo Kataa, 2000.
In-progress excavations at Mound 130, Kuulo Kataa. A notched tree trunk provides a ladder into the deep units. The south walls of units 93 & 95 E, 110N are visible (center photo), showing the mound's layered deposits. In unit 95E 106 N (photo right), Emmanuel Duku (left), Wazi Apoh (center) and Leith Smith (right) record soil colors using a Munsell Soil Color Chart. Top left, two team members work by a screen used to sieve excavated soil, piles of which are visible in the background. Mound 130 covers an area of approximately 1100 m2 and rises to roughly a meter above the surrounding ground surface. Excavation here revealed thick layers of ashy midden deposits inter-stratified with walls and floors of houses. Kuulo Kataa, 2000.
Banda Research Project team members prepare to profile the north wall of unit 55W 69N at Mound 102, Kuulo Kataa. Osei Kofi (blue shirt) prepares to take measurements from a level string anchored by chaining pins. Alex Caton (wearing a hat) prepares to draw the profile. Wooden pegs mark the corners of the 1 x 2 m unit. Mound 102 is a large deep midden mound which covers approximately 1600 m2 and rises several meters above the surrounding ground surface. A single 1 x 2 m unit was excavated to the base of level 13, after which a 1 x 1 m unit was excavated to almost 4 m, removing roughly 5 m3 of soil. Kuulo Kataa, 8 July, 2000.
Banda Research Project team members Courtney Amos (left), Leith Smith (center) and Emmanuel Duku (right) document the stratigraphy and soil characteristics of the west wall of unit 68E 4N at Mound 129, Kuulo Kataa. Duku measures the boundaries of stratigraphic layers using a metal tape measure and a level string anchored midway down the profile wall. Amos uses graph paper to create a profile map, marking the locations of points measured by Duku. Smith uses a Munsell Soil Color Chart book to record the color of soils from top to bottom along the profile wall. Kuulo Kataa, 2000.
Base of excavation level 21, unit 68E 4N, Mound 129 at Kuulo Kataa. Visible in the walls of the 1 x 2 m unit are its distinct soil layers. Dark upper levels contained many rootlets. These soils transition to a lighter brown zone below, which in turn shows a distinct boundary with ash-filled gray levels beneath. Three radiocarbon dates associated with the gray ashy levels fall in the calibrated age range from c. 1400 to 1530 CE. Equally distinct is the boundary below the ashy layers, where lighter brown soils of lower levels can be seen in plan view at the base of the unit. Several features are visible against these lighter-colored soils. Center photo is an irregularly shaped patch of laterite which archaeologists interpreted as a remnant floor. At upper and lower right, concentrations of charcoal stand out against surrounding light soil. Mound 129 covers roughly 750 m2 and rises roughly 2 meters above the surrounding ground surface. Its stratigraphy suggests a complex history of formation through both primary occupation (living surfaces) and refuse dumping (midden deposits). Kuulo Kataa, 17 June, 2000.
Banda Research Project team member Enoch Mensah stands on a ladder in unit 55W 69N, Mound 102 at Kuulo Kataa. A tape measure and a level line have been set up on the north wall of the unit in preparation for drawing a profile map. Mound 102 is a large deep midden mound which covers approximately 1600 m2 and rises several meters above the surrounding ground surface. A single 1 x 2 m unit was excavated to the base of level 13, after which a 1 x 1 m unit was excavated to almost 4 m, removing roughly 5 m3 of soil. Three radiocarbon samples from lower levels of the mound (3-3.5 m below the ground surface) had calibrated age ranges of c. 1400-1530 CE. Kuulo Kataa, 2000. Kuulo Kataa, 2000.
A deeply worn grinding stone excavated from Level 5, Unit 130W 28S, Mound 138, Kuulo Kataa. Mound 138 is a low mound covering roughly 300 m2. Mound 138 deposits included slag and a burned feature (Unit 130W 30S) which was probably related to processing metals. These associations suggest that the grinding stone in unit 130W 28S may have been used in metalworking activities. Photo scale in 5 cm intervals. Kuulo Kataa, 1995.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Kuulo Kataa, Mound 138, Unit 130W 30S, Level 5
Date:
1995-07-12
Location(s) Facet:
Kuulo Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Archaeology; Excavations (Archaeology); Artifacts (Antiquities); Grinding stone
The deeply stratified deposits of a midden mound are visible in the east wall of excavation unit 2W 2S, Mound 101, Kuulo Kataa. Mound 101 is a large mound covering roughly 1200 m2 and rising roughly 3 m above the surrounding ground surface at its apex. Unit 2W 2S was excavated to a depth of ca. 330 cm below the mound surface to the point where laterite rock was encountered. It was excavated as a 2 x 2 m unit to level 15, narrowing to a 1 x 2 m from level 16, with a total estimated 8.7 m3 of soil removed from the unit. Upper levels were characterized by dark soils with many rootlets which transitioned to lighter brown soils. Gray ashy soils dominated the lower cultural levels of the mound. At base, orange-brown clayey soils appeared above the laterite substrate. Kuulo Kataa, July, 1995.
The deeply stratified deposits of a midden mound are visible in the east wall of excavation unit 2W 2S, Mound 101, Kuulo Kataa. Mound 101 is a large mound covering roughly 1200 m2 and rising roughly 3 m above the surrounding ground surface at its apex. Unit 2W 2S was excavated to a depth of ca. 330 cm below the mound surface to the point where laterite rock was encountered. It was excavated as a 2 x 2 m unit to level 15, narrowing to a 1 x 2 m from level 16, with a total estimated 8.7 m3 of soil removed from the unit. Upper levels were characterized by dark soils with many rootlets which transitioned to lighter brown soils. Gray ashy soils dominated the lower cultural levels of the mound. At base, orange-brown clayey soils appeared above the laterite substrate. Visible in the profile wall, to the left and slightly lower than a circular area of dark soil, is the interior of a pottery jar, the other half removed and reconstructed (KK 95-693; see link below). Kuulo Kataa, July, 1995.
A light-colored slurry plaster is visible in the base of level 8 in excavation unit 64W 4N, Mound 118, Kuulo Kataa. The plaster is associated with floors and walls of a collapsed structure. Dark circular areas which interrupt the slurry may represent post holes. A photo scale with 5 cm intervals points north. Kuulo Kataa, 14 July, 1995.
Close-up photo of slurry plaster, level 8, excavation unit 64W 4N, Mound 118, Kuulo Kataa. The outer edge (upper left) of a wall/floor appears light in color against darker subsoil. A photo scale with 5 cm intervals points north. Kuulo Kataa, 15 July, 1995.
A burned basin-like feature is visible in profile in the east wall of excavation unit 130W 26S, Mound 138, Kuulo Kataa. Clustered and adjacent to the burned area at the base of level 7 are three pottery pedestal bases, broken away from their original pots. The presence of slag and other burned features in adjacent units suggest that Mound 138 was a place where the site's occupants worked metals. A photo scale with 5 cm intervals points north. Kuulo Kataa, 14 July, 1995.
A burned basin-like feature is visible in profile in the east wall of excavation unit 130W 26S, Mound 138, Kuulo Kataa. Based on the presence of slag and other burned features in adjacent units, the mound is interpreted as a place where the site's occupants were working metals. A photo scale with 5 cm intervals points north. Kuulo Kataa, 14 July, 1995.
In-progress excavations of adjacent 2 x 2 m units at Mound 148, Kuulo Kataa. The base of units 70E 48-52N and 72E 50N have been excavated to depths ranging from 90-110 cm below datum. The large area of dark soil concentrated in unit 70E 50N (center) is intrusive pit fill which cut through the living surface at this mound level. An area of packed reddish-orange laterite gravel in unit 70E 52N (bottom, left) likely represents a prepared floor surface. To the right of the dark pit soil, in the boundary between units 70E 50N and 70E 48N, is a an irregularly shaped burned feature interpreted by archaeologists as likely associated with metalworking. Two radiocarbon samples associated with this burned feature had calibrated age ranges between c.1200-1400 CE. A cluster of hearth stones has been exposed in nearby unit 72E 50N (center photo). White bags filled with soil samples collected for flotation sit outside the excavated area together with excavation equipment. View looking eastwards. Kuulo Kataa, 11 July, 2000.
Traced field drawing showing the stratigraphy of unit 2W 2S, Mound 101 at Kuulo Kataa. The profile map shows unit deposits as seen in the north wall of the excavation unit. Kuulo Kataa, 9 July, 1995.
Field drawing showing the stratigraphy of unit 68E 4N, Mound 129 at Kuulo Kataa. The profile map depicts unit deposits as seen in the north wall of the excavation unit. Kuulo Kataa
West wall of excavation unit 55W 69N in Mound 102 at Kuulo Kataa. Topmost levels are characterized by dark soil that fades to brown below the area where rootlets are visible. A distinct boundary separates these brown soils from the gray ashy levels below. Mound 102 is a large deep midden mound which covers approximately 1600 m2 and rises several meters above the surrounding ground surface. A single 1 x 2 m unit was excavated to the base of level 13, after which a 1 x 1 m unit was excavated to almost 4 m, removing roughly 5 m3 of soil. Three radiocarbon samples from lower levels of the mound (3-3.5 m below the ground surface; not visible in this photo) had calibrated age ranges of c. 1400-1530 CE. Kuulo Kataa, 8 July, 2000.
Banda Research Project team members wrap up work for the day on Mound 118 at Kuulo Kataa. Mound 118 is a low ovoid-shaped mound covering roughly 300 m2 and rising about one meter above the surrounding ground surface. The units under excavation here revealed architectural features and primary (in situ) household remains. Several 2 x 2 meter units have been opened. Wooden pegs mark grid points at the corners of units. Kuulo Kataa, 1995.
Four Banda Research Project team members use cutlasses to clear grass from the surface of Mound 101 at Kuulo Kataa. Mound 101 is a prominent midden mound covering roughly 1200 m2 and rising roughly 3 m above the surrounding ground surface at its apex. Its surface is littered with abundant pottery and metallurgical slag. Kuulo Kataa, June, 1995.
Banda Research Project team members prepare to excavate a unit in a deep midden mound (Mound 101) at Kuulo Kataa. Orange flagging is tied to grid pegs that have been established across the mound, and white string marks the boundaries of an excavation unit (2W 2S). Team members stand by as Leith Smith (yellow shirt) establishes a unit datum by means of a tight string attached to the master site datum (0W 0N) located nearby. Alex Caton (far right) takes notes. Kuulo Kataa, June, 1995.
Photo of a reconstructed carinate globular pottery jar, with profile depicted (left). The jar was found in an upright position beneath a lens of hardened clay, its rim at 211 cm below datum and its base at 224 cm bd. The jar's mouth is small. Below its lip is a ridge marked with vertical impressions. The surface above the carinated shoulder is decorated with alternating horizontal lines of dentate (comb) impression and grooving. Below the carination, the base and lower portions of the jar are decorated with a carved roulette impression. The interior surface of the jar is heavily eroded, perhaps an indication that the jar was used to store a fermented liquid like millet or sorghum beer. An INAA sample (NA "KK 95-61") from this jar was assigned to the "K1" group of ceramic fabrics. The jar was therefore likely made east of the Banda hills. A jar of similar form, decoration, and interior wear (KK 95-693) was found one meter away and at a slightly lower level in the east profile wall of the excavation unit. Rim diameter: 8 cm. Photo scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa. 13 June, 1995.
Photo of a patially reconstructed carinate globular pottery jar, with profile depicted (left). The jar was partially exposed, sitting upright in the east profile wall of the unit. The jar broke insitu and half of the vessel was removed and reconstructed. The jar has a narrow mouth. Alternating horizontal bands of shallow grooving and dentate (comb) impression decorate the area below the lip. A horizontal grooved line and a line of dentate (comb) impression applied above the carinated shoulder meet at small circular punctate impressions. The base and lower portions of the jar are decorated with a carved roulette impression. The interior surface of the jar is heavily eroded, perhaps an indication that the jar was used to store a fermented liquid like millet or sorghum beer. A jar of similar form, decoration and interior wear was found one meter away and at a slightly higher level in the same unit (KK 95-350). Rim diameter: 10 cm. 50% of vessel reconstructed. Photo scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa. 10 July, 1995.
Photo (interior) of a reconstructed carinate globular pottery jar, with profile depicted (left). The jar was partially exposed, sitting upright in the east profile wall of the unit. The jar broke insitu and half of the vessel was removed and reconstructed. The jar has a narrow mouth. The interior surface of the jar is heavily eroded, perhaps an indication that the jar was used to store a fermented liquid like millet or sorghum beer. A jar of similar form, decoration and interior wear was found one meter away and at a slightly higher level in the same unit (KK 95-350). Rim diameter: 10 cm. 50% of vessel reconstructed. Photo scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa. 10 July, 1995.
Photo of an inward-curving (recurved) jar rim sherd, with profile depicted (left). A zone of diagonally oriented dentate (comb) impressions is bounded on upper and lower edges by a shallow horizontal groove. A mica paint/slip was applied over top of the dentate impressions. The ceramic fabric was tempered with angular quartz grit. An INAA sample ("KK NA-29") was unassigned to a specific group of ceramic fabrics, lending no insight into where the jar was made. Interior neck diameter: 18 cm. Sherd represents an 12% of the jar's circumference. Scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa. 25 June, 1995.
Broken bowl of a locally made clay smoking pipe, 2 views (left: bowl interior; right: bowl exterior). Pipes like this were made across West Africa after Europeans learned the practice of smoking tobacco from First Peoples of the Americas and introduced it to Africa in early centuries of the trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe bowl has a flared pedestal base decorated with red paint. The oval bowl is decorated with vertical rows of triangular impressions, above which are two grooved lines and an area with red paint. The bowl's interior is blackened from use toward its base. The bowl's rim and its stem are missing. The potting clay used to make the pipe is tempered with fine white grit. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 28 June, 2000.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar (Vessel B) excavated from Kuulo Kataa, Mound 101, Unit 2W 2S, levels 6-7, where the jar was positioned upright. A broken pedestal base (Vessel A, originally part of another vessel) sat atop the jar. The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. Above the carination, the jar's exterior surface is decorated with four horizontal grooved lines, between which are lines of dentate impression. Immediately above the carination in three locations around the vessel's circumference are triangular clusters formed by three circulate punctates joined by short grooved lines enclosing dentate impressions. In a zone marked by two parallel grooved lines, the jar's base is surface treated with carved routlette impressions. Rim diameter 20.8 cm at interior lip. Vessel height (base to rim) 15.8 cm. Photo scale in cm. Kuulo Kataa, 9 June, 1995.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 3 views (bottom left: view from front; bottom right: side with pipe bowl to the left; top: view from top). Pipes like this were inspired by those used by America's First Peoples from whom Europeans learned about tobacco. Europeans introduced tobacco smoking to West Africa during the early centuries of trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe's bowl has a slightly flared base, the bottom of which shows signs of abrasion. Above its base, the pipe bowl is outward flaring. The bowl is decorated by overall diagonal incisions that meet to form a "V" pattern. The front is marked by a vertical row of circular impressions. Rounded appliques have been added to the bowl near to its base. The bowl's rim is missing. Its stem joins the bowl at its base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem is slightly collared at its end and has a rounded lip. The pipe has been minimally cleaned on the exterior and soil remains in the bowl interior. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 6 July, 1995.
Broken bowl of a locally made clay smoking pipe, 2 views (left: bowl interior; right: bowl exterior). Pipes like this were made across West Africa after Europeans learned the practice of smoking tobacco from First Peoples of the Americas and introduced it to Africa in early centuries of the trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe bowl flares outward toward its rim and inward toward its base. Its inward-flaring bottom is decorated with red paint in a zone marked by a deep horizontal groove. Above this, decorated zones are separated by two vertical grooves. Zones of hatched incised lines alternate with vertical rows of rectangular impressions. The top half of the bowl's interior is blackened from use. The bowl's base and the pipe's stem are missing. The potting clay used to make the pipe is tempered with fine white grit. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 6 July, 2000.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 2 views (bottom: view from side with pipe bowl to the left; top: view from top). Pipes like this were inspired by those used by America's First Peoples from whom Europeans learned about tobacco. Europeans introduced tobacco smoking to West Africa during the early centuries of trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe's bowl has a flared pedestal base with traces of red paint. The rounded pipe bowl is marked by deep vertical grooves at its base, above which are closely spaced horizontal rows of dentate impressions. The bowl's rim is missing. Its stem joins the bowl at its base (a "single-angled" form). The stem is collared at its end and has a flat lip. The potting clay used to make the pipe is tempered with fine white grit. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 4 July, 2000.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 3 views (bottom left: bowl base and step viewed from top; bottom right: bowl base and stem from side, with pipe bowl to the left; top: bowl front). Pipes like this were inspired by those used by America's First Peoples from whom Europeans learned about tobacco. Europeans introduced tobacco smoking to West Africa during the early centuries of trans-Atlantic trade. This pipe's bowl has a slightly pedestaled base, the bottom of which shows signs of abrasion. Above its base, the pipe bowl is outward flaring and constricts slightly at the lip. The upper area of the bowl is decorated by overall vertical incisions interspersed with single vertical rows of circular impressions. A horizontal groove marks the boundary between a lower zone decorated with angled incisions. The pipe's stem joins the bowl above the bowl base (a "double-angled" form) and its lip is rounded. The pipe has been decorated with an overall red slip. It has been minimally cleaned on the exterior and soil remains in the bowl interior, with the end of a root visible in the bowl's base. Photo scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 29 June, 1995.
An iron blade, rounded at the tip (left), flared at the base and with a short tang (right) which allowed it to be hafted to a wood handle. The tool shows signs of corrosion. The blade was excavated from a level characterized by abundant iron slag and ashy soil. Scale in cm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 23 June, 2000.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Kuulo Kataa, Mound 131, Unit 126E 140N, Level 10
Date:
2000-06-23
Location(s) Facet:
Kuulo Kataa
Subjects:
Tanged blade; Iron tool
Subjects Facet:
Iron; Blades (tool and equipment components); Archaeology; Artifacts (Antiquities)
A curved iron blade (brɔfiɛn in Nafaanra), rounded at the tip (left), slightly shouldered at the base, with a long tang (right) for the purpose of hafting. The tool shows signs of corrosion. The artfiact was excavated from a house mound and found in a level of midden-like deposits. Scale in cm. Length: 11.2 cm. Weight: 11.7 gm. Site Kuulo Kataa. 14 June, 1995.