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Start Over Subject(s) excavations (archaeology) Subject(s) metalworking Date 2009

1. Excavations at a metal working area, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Archaeological excavations of Mound 6 at Ngre Kataa in 2009 expose a workshop where blacksmiths produced iron and copper-alloy tools and ornaments. The mound is being excavated in 2 x 2 meter units named for the coordinates of their northeast corner. In unit 50N 0W (foreground), an area of burned soil marks the location where blacksmiths heated metals. A pottery jar sits in place to the right. In surrounding units (50N 2W, 48N 0W, 48N 2W) are large anvil stones where the hot metals would have been hammered and shaped through forging. The mound's stratified deposits suggest that the workshop area was used for many decades, and perhaps centuries, between the years of about 1350 and 1520 CE (Common Era). View across the mound from the northeast looking towards the southwest. Site Ngre Kataa. 27 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Workshop; Mound 6
Subjects Facet:
Handicraft; Metallurgy; Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging; Excavations (Archaeology); Iron; Copper alloys
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-27
Genre Facet:
Digital image
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Ngre Kataa;8.11277778, -2.30611111
People Facet:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Geographic Coordinates:
8.11277778, -2.30611111

2. Burned features, unit 46N 2W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Three burned features are visible at the base of level 6 in unit 46N 2W. Two circular features (F1, right & F2, left) have been cross-sectioned, creating a straight edge. Burned feature 3 is an irregularly shaped (rectangular) area pedestaled on the east (right) side of the excavation unit. Along the unit's west wall (left) is an unexcavated rectangular area. Within this matrix was a perforated pot (NK 09-789) lidded with the pedestal base from another pot. The perforated pot contained cowries and small fragments of iron. In units to the north (behind), a row of insitu anvil stones (GS 09-03, -09-02 and 09-01, near to far) is visible in units 48N 2W and 50N 2W. To the east (right) of these, a flat grinding stone (GS 09-08) and an anvil stone (GS 09-06) can be seen insitu in units 48N 0W and 50N 0W. A pottery jar (NK 09-790) rests insitu in the center of unit 50N 0W. To the left of the archaeologist in the blue shirt (Abass Iddrisu), a flat grinding stone (GS 09-12) and a pot (NK 09-685) lidded with a grinding stone (GS 09-13) are visible on the boundary between units 50N 4-6W. Excavation units measure 2 x 2 meters. Site Ngre Kataa. 24 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17597; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19115
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 46N 2W
Date:
2009-06-24
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Pottery; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-24
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

3. Burned features unit 50N 8W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A cluster of burned features is exposed in the northwest corner of excavation unit 50N 8W in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). Along the unit's west wall (left in photo) is an amorphous zone of fire-hardened red (Munsell color 2.5YR 3/6) matrix. A piece of brass bar (SF NK 09-293) was found in soil associated with this burned feature. Above and to the right (northeast), two circular burned features are visible in outline. These basin-shaped features had a thin lining of fire-hardened sediment, red to dark red (Munsell 2.5 YR 3/6 & 4/8) in color. The basins were filled with loose ashy sediment and small pieces of charcoal. A sample of burned matrix from feature 1 (top right basin) yielded a thermoluminescence (TL) age estimate of 1500 +/- 40 CE (Univ. Wash. 2455). Further excavation revealed additional basin-shaped features beneath the amorphous burned feature. The excavation unit's northwest corner peg is visible, upper left. View looking north. Site Ngre Kataa. 27 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19109; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19111
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 8W,Level 6
Date:
2009-06-27
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-07
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

4. Excavated burned basins, unit 50N 8W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A cluster of burned basin-shaped features is exposed in the northwest corner of unit 50N 8W in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The basins comprised a thin layer of fire-hardened sediment, red to dark red (Munsell colors 2.5 YR 3/6 & 4/8) in color. Basin features 1 (top right) and 2 (left of feature 1) measured about 8-9 cm deep and were filled with ashy soil. Basin feature 5 (far left) was shallower. Its fire-hardened surface showed a pinkish tinge. Samples of burned basin matrix from features 1 and 5 yielded thermoluminescence (TL) age estimates of 1500 +/- 40 CE (feature 1; Univ. Wash. 2455) and 1580 +/- 40 CE (feature 5; Univ. Wash. 2456). Photo bar marked in 5 cm increments. Arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 29 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19110
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 8W,Level 6
Date:
2009-06-29
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-29
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

5. Burned feature, unit 46N 2W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Two views of a burned basin-shaped feature (Feature 2) in mound 6, unit 46N 2W, part of an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The feature has been sectioned to reveal its profile. Viewed from the top, the circular feature consists of a ring of fire-hardened yellowish red (Munsell color 5YR 5/8) sediment. The fire-hardened matrix is thicker at its top edge than it is at the bottom of the basin, where its color is dark red (Munsell 2.5YR 3.6). In profile view (second photo), the basin appears as a narrow band of yellowish red fire-hardened sediment. The fire-hardened sediment is thin and rounded at the base of the basin, suggesting that it may have formed around a round-based vessel used to heat metals. A thermoluminescence sample of the burned matrix yielded a date of 1490 +/- 50 years (Univ. Wash. 2364). Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 23 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19112
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 46N 2W, L7
Date:
2009-06-23
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-23
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

6. Burned feature, unit 46N 2W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
Two views of a burned basin-shaped feature (Feature 2) in mound 6, unit 46N 2W, part of an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The feature has been sectioned to reveal its profile. Viewed from the top, the circular feature consists of a ring of fire-hardened yellowish red (Munsell color 5YR 5/8) sediment. The fire-hardened matrix is thicker at its top edge than it is at the bottom of the basin, where its color is dark red (Munsell 2.5YR 3.6). In profile view (second photo), the basin appears as a narrow band of yellowish red fire-hardened sediment. The fire-hardened sediment is thin and rounded at the base of the basin, suggesting that it may have formed around a round-based vessel used to heat metals. A thermoluminescence sample of the burned matrix yielded a date of 1490 +/- 50 years (Univ. Wash. 2364). Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 23 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19112
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 46N 2W, L7
Date:
2009-06-23
Location(s) Facet:
8.11277778, -2.30611111
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Forging
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-23
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

7. Anvil and grinding stones in a metallurgical workshop, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
View across four excavation units, looking west across an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. An anvil stone (GS 09-01) sits insitu in the foreground in unit 50N 2W. In the northwest corner of the same unit (below the roll of red flagging tape, right), the remains of a partially excavated burned feature interpreted as a forge are visible. A pottery jar (NK 09-686), lidded with a broken rounded base of another pot, is visible in the next unit (50N 4W). It sits adjacent to another burned feature in the unit's northwest corner (behind the pot, not visible in this photo). The jar is overlaid by another burned feature (visible as a layer of orange soil). A second pot (NK 09-685), to the left of the first, is covered by a flat stone (GS 09-13) whose lower surface shows evidence of grinding. A larger flat U-shaped grinding stone (GS 09-12) sits insitu atop a soil pedestal in the northeast corner of the next unit (50N 6W). To the south (left) of the stones, a partially exposed jar rim (NK 09-749) is visible close to the eastern edge of unit 50N 6W). Behind it, a large anvil/grinding stone (GS 09-15; faintly visible because it blends into the surrounding soil color) is partially exposed, with a smaller hammer/grinding stone (GS 09-16) sitting in front and left (south) of the large stone. A smaller grinding stone (GS 09-19; upper left of photo) has been pedestaled insitu in the farthest unit (50N 8W). Subsequent excavations in unit 50N 8W revealed a series of burned features in its northwest corner. A two meter yellow tape is extended along the edge of unit 50N 4W (right). Site Ngre Kataa. 24 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Units 50N, 2 to 8 W, various levels
Date:
2009-06-24
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking; Pottery
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-24
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

8. 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
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

9. Anvil stone in a metallurgical workshop, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
A boulder used as an anvil stone (GS 09-07) sits insitu in an excavated area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. A black-and-white photo scale stick stands vertically against it. The boulder's upper surface shows signs of use wear and its north-facing side is marked by a cup-shaped depression that resulted from repeated use. To the north (left), a fist-sized hammer stone (GS 09-09) rests insitu on a pedestal of soil left in place as the unit was excavated. Two stones showing evidence of use as grinding stones sit nearby, a north arrow placed by one(GS 09-10; center photo) and one in the southwest corner of the excavation unit (GS 09-08; bottom right). Another insitu anvil stone (GS 09-6) sits in the northeast corner of an adjacent excavation unit (48N 0W; top right of photo). The narrow band of loose soil angled across the southwest corner of the excavation was created by a burrowing animal. Photo stick and small arrow scale in 5 cm intervals. Photo scale arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 2 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19119
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 0W, Level 2
Date:
2009-06-02
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-06-02
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

10. Stratified deposits, south wall, unit 50N 0W, Ngre Kataa, 2009

Description:
The south wall of excavation unit 50N 0W in mound 6 shows stratified layers that accumulated in an area interpreted as a metallurgical workshop. An anvil stone (GS 09-06; left of the sign board) is pedestaled insitu in the adjacent excavation unit (48N 0W). Other pedestaled grinding stones are visible to the right and behind the sign board. These stones were found just below the mound's top surface. A smaller grinding/anvil stone is visible in the east wall of unit 50N 0W, at a depth of one meter below the anvil stone. Burned orange-red lenses that archaeologists interpret as features associated with processing metals are visible in the strata between the stones. Ashy lenses are visible in the south and west walls. Evidence suggests that these layers built up through repeated use of this location for metalworking activities. Width of unit: 2 meters. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 July 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-19116
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Univ 50N 0W, South Wall
Date:
2009-07-09
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Anvil stone; Grinding stone
Subjects Facet:
Excavations (Archaeology); Archaeology; Metalworking
Creator:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl
Date searchable:
2009
Date searchable:
2009-07-09
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