Photo of a pottery bowl rim and body, with profile depicted (left). The bowl's interior surface is decorated with lines of red paint applied in reticulate and pendant patterns. The rim of the bowl is slightly everted. A portion of the interior surface is blackened as an effect of firing. An INAA sample ("Banda 27-11") from this bowl was assigned to the "K2" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore likely made from clays mined east of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 34 cm at exterior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 20% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site Banda 27. 28 February, 2001.
Photo of a pottery bowl rim and body, exterior surface, with profile depicted (left). The rim of the bowl is slightly everted. The bowl's exterior is decorated with several bands of red paint, one applied below the angle of the rim, one mid-way down the bowl body, and one toward the base. Blackened areas of the exterior are a result of firing. An INAA sample ("Banda 27-11") from this bowl was assigned to the "K2" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore likely made from clays mined east of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 34 cm at exterior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 20% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Banda 27. 28 February, 2001.
Photo of a pottery bowl rim, exterior surface, with profile depicted (left). The bowl is decorated with several shallow horizontal grooves above its angular carination. A row of vertical impressions marks the carination, below which is a zone of angled "dentate" impressions, bounded by a shallow groove at its lower edge. Traces of red paint appear on the upper portions of the bowl. An INAA sample ("Banda 27-1") from this bowl was assigned to the "K2" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore likely made from clays mined east of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 20 cm at the interior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 15% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site Banda 27. 29 January, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Banda 27, Mound 1, Unit 1, Level 3
Date:
2001-01-29
Location(s) Facet:
Site Banda 27
Subjects:
Dentate impression; Red paint; Bowl; Neutron Activation Analysis
A perforated pottery jar lidded with the pedestaled base of another pot sits in situ at the base of level 6, unit 46N 2W at Mound 6. The pot contained eight cowries and is interpreted by archaeologists as a shrine pot placed in association with metalworking facilities. Photo scale in 5 cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 24 June, 2009.
A partially reconstructed everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Banda area site A-212, Mound 7, level 10. The jar's exterior surface is decorated below the neck with closely spaced rows of dentate (comb) impressions, intersected by a double diagonal line of dentate impressions. Double lines of dentate impression applied in a chevron pattern form a band between the upper zone of dentate decoration and jar's plain base. The jar's interior is finished with an orange-red slip. An INAA sample ("A212-16") from this jar and was assigned to the "G1" group of ceramic fabrics and therefore likely made west of the Banda hills. Rim diameter 24 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site A-212. 1 February, 2001.
Photo of a partial rim and neck of a mica- and red-slipped everted jar, with vessel profile depicted, left. Red slip has been applied to the rim. Overall mica slip covers the area from the neck down. The neck area is decorated with closely spaced horizontal grooves, with mica slip applied over top. A row of dentate (comb) impression marks the transition to a mica-slipped, but otherwise undecorated, body. INAA sample ("Banda 40-11") assigned to the "L" group of ceramic fabrics; therefore, likely made from clays mined west of the Banda hills. Rim diameter 24 cm at exterior lip. Neck diameter 16 cm at interior constriction. Scale in cm. Ngre Kataa (Banda 40), 30 March, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 27
Date:
2001-03-30
Location(s) Facet:
Ngre Kataa
Subjects:
Mica slip; Red slip; Dentate impression; Jar; Neutron Activation Analysis
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.
Side view of a broken pottery sherd with a large slag inclusion. The use of crushed slag as a tempering material included in potting clay is first seen in pottery associated with Ngre phase sites in the Banda area. The use of crushed slag as a temper intensifies during Kuulo phase times, after which it becomes uncommon. Ngre Kataa, June, 2008.
Photo of an everted-rim jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 1, Unit 1, levels 3-6. The jar (Vessel 1) was found upside-down, resting on its rim and in association with a cluster of several other complete (Vessels 2 & 3) and broken pots in what has been interpreted as a kitchen area. The round-based jar is decorated on its lower surface by faint twisted cord-roulette impressions. The zone of cord rouletting is separated from the undecorated surface above by three arching grooves or channels. Multiple small circular punctates mark the place where grooved lines meet. Whole pot. Rim diameter c. 30 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 5 April, 2001.
Photo of a large pottery bowl. The rim is angled inward, creating a carination where the bowl's rim and body meet. Above the carination and around the rim's circumference, the exterior surface is decorated with shallow parallel grooves. The bowl's upper body is decorated with several clusters of triangular impressions which are bounded by angled pairs of grooved lines. The interior and exterior surfaces of the bowl are burnished, giving the bowl a slight sheen. A small pedestal stabilizes the bowl at its base. The bowl is consistent in shape and size with serving/eating bowls from which several individuals (typically men) would eat. The bowl was found positioned upside-down amid a concentration of other whole and partial pottery vessels, grinding stones, charred seeds and wide-spread fire-hardened soil. The context is interpreted as a kitchen area destroyed by an incident of intense fire. Whole pot. Scale in cm. Site Makala Kataa. 4 July, 1989.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Makala Kataa, Station 6, Mound 5, 4W 4S, Level 7-8
Photo of a small pedestal-base pottery bowl. The rim of the bowl is broken away around the entire circumference of the bowl. The exterior surface is burnished and decorated with several triangular impressions (not visible on the surfaces in this photo). The bowl is consistent in shape and size with serving/eating bowls from which an individual (typically a woman) would eat. The bowl was found in association with several other pots and a laterite hearthstone in an area surrounded by oxidized fire-hardened sediment. The wider context of the excavation unit is interpreted as a kitchen area destroyed by an incident of intense fire. Scale in cm. Site Makala Kataa. 11 July, 1989.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Makala Kataa, Station 6, Mound 5, Unit 0W 4S, Level 5
Photo of a dark brown pottery jar rim, neck and body, with profile depicted (left). The rim of the jar is everted in profile. Below the neck, the body of the jar is decorated with a carved roulette rolled across the surface to create a herringbone design. The zone of carved roulette impression is bounded by a horizontal shallow groove. A curvilinear groove cuts across the roulette impression. The ceramic fabric contained both laterite and white grit, as well as finely crushed iron slag. INAA analysis ("NA B-143-8") assigned this jar to the "K1" group, with the implication that it was likely made on the east side of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 22 cm at interior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 25% of the circumference of the jar. Scale in cm. Site B-143. 14 March, 2001.
Photo of a red-painted and mica-slipped bowl rim, with profile depicted (left). Toward the lip, multiple horizontal bands of grooving and dentate (comb) impression are overlaid by red paint. Below this is a zone with horizontal lines of wavy line impression and grooving overlaid by a mica slip. The lower zone is red-painted. The ceramic fabric includes finely crushed white grit which includes some quartz. An INAA sample ("A94-8") was assigned to the "L" group, indicating that the bowl was made from clays mined west of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 14 cm at the interior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 15% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site A-94. 21 February, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Site A-94, Mound 2, Unit 1, Level 6
Date:
2001-02-21
Location(s) Facet:
Site A-94
Subjects:
Wavy line impression; Dentate impression; Red paint; Mica slip; Bowl; Neutron Activation Analysis
Photo of the rim and shoulder of a large pottery bowl, with profile depicted (left). The bowl's exterior is decorated with a herringbone design, created by rolling a carved wooden roulette across its entire surface, except for a narrow band just below the bowl's lip. A single diagonal shallow groove was applied across the surface above the shoulder. An INAA sample (NA "A212-8") from this bowl was "unassigned" to a specific group of ceramic fabrics, lending no insight into where the bowl was made. Rim diameter: 20 cm at the interior lip. Sherd represents about 11% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site A-212. 18 February, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim jar. The round-based pot is decorated on its lower surface by maize cob impressions, created by rolling a kernel-less maize cob over the pot's surface. The top edge of the maize-cob-rouletted zone is marked by pendant grooves or channels. Small circular punctates mark the place where pendant grooved lines meet. A single grooved line offsets this decorated zone from an undecorated zone below the jar's neck. Whole pot. Scale in cm. Site A-9. 1 Feb. 2001.
Photo of a carinated pottery bowl, with profile depicted (left). The bowl has a restricted opening with the rim rounded at the lip. Above the angular carination, the exterior surface is decorated with horizontal bands of wavy line impression, below which are two deep channels. Shallow grooves appear above and below narrow bands of dentate (comb) impressions. Below the carination, the exterior surface is decorated overall with a carved roulette impression. An INAA sample ("B123-2") from this bowl was assigned to the "L" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore likely made from clays mined west of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 23 cm at the interior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 18% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site B-123. 22 July, 2000.
Body sherds from a large jar. The exterior surface is decorated with bands of horizontal grooving, inside of which are bands of dentate (comb) impressions. Rows of dentate impression applied at an angle create a chevron design across the central zone. An overall red paint or slip finishes the surface. An INAA sample from this jar ("Banda 27-13") was assigned to the "K2" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore liked made from clays mined east of the Banda hills. Scale in cm. Site Banda 27. 1 March, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution--NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Banda 27, Mound 2, Unit 1, Level 16
Date:
2001-03-01
Subjects:
Red paint; Dentate impression; Jar; Neutron Activation Analysis
Photo of a buff-colored pottery bowl rim and carination, with profile depicted (left). The bowl is decorated with two shallow horizontal grooves, applied below the lip on the exterior surface. Below this is a band of shallow criss-cross incised lines, beneath which is a plain zone, followed by a more deeply incised band of criss-cross incisions, applied just above the exaggerated carination (angled shoulder). Based on patterned overlap in the criss-cross lines, the lines slanted upper left to lower right were made first, after which the lines slanted upper right to lower left were made. The exterior surface below the carination is undecorated. The ceramic fabric included some laterite grit as well as a small amount of finely crushed slag. An INAA sample from this bowl (NA "B143-2") was "unassigned" to a specific group, lending no insight into where the bowl was made. Rim diameter: 15 cm at interior lip. Sherd represents about 15% of the vessel's circumference. Scale in cm. Site B-143. 13 March, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, Levels 5-6. The jar (Vessel 1) was located in the north profile wall of the unit, together with another vessel (Vessel 2).
The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. To the right and below the carination, a portion of the exterior surface has broken away. The upper area of the jar is decorated with three horizontal grooved lines, inbetween which are lines of dentate impression. Just above the carination is another line of dentate impression and a grooved line. To the left and right, on the upper side of the carination, sets of two triangular designs were applied, consisting of three punctates connected by two short grooved lines. The area inside the triangle is marked by crossed dentate impressions, forming an "X" inside the triangle. This design was repeated twice on the recovered portion of the jar. It was likely repeated a third time on the missing portion. Below the carination are two shallow horizontal grooves. The jar's base is smooth, with no surface treatment applied. Roughly 65% of the vessel was recovered. Rim diameter 25 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 5 April, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 5. The jar (Vessel 2) was located in the north profile wall of the unit together with another vessel (Vessel 1). The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. The upper area of the jar is decorated with three horizontal grooved lines inbetween which are lines of dentate impression. The base of the jar is surface treated with a twisted cord roulette. Two roughly parallel horizontal grooved lines separate the cord rouletted zone from a plain zone below the carination. A hole in the base of the pot (ca. 7 cm across) may have been deliberately broken in this otherwise whole pot. Rim diameter 22 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 5 April, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 20. The jar was located in the west profile wall of the unit. The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. A single horizontal line of wavy line impression was applied to the neck constriction, with the area above the carination otherwise plain. The base of the jar is surface treated with a fiber (perhaps braided strip) roulette. Two roughly parallel horizontal grooved lines are superimposed over the roulette treatment. Whole pot. Rim diameter 17.5 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 3 April, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa (Banda 40), Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 20, W Wall.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, levels 15-16, where the jar was exposed in the south wall of the excavation unit. The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. The area above the carination was decorated by five unevenly placed horizontal grooved lines. In three places around the vessel's circumference, the grooved line just above the carination is marked by "ꓥ." In a zone that begins c. 2 cm below the carination, lower areas of the jar are surface treated with a carved roulette impression. The ceramic fabric includes mixed grit (including laterite and quartz) and likely also finely crushed slag. An INAA sample (Banda 40/3) from the jar could not be assigned to a known source group. Roughly 2/3 of the vessel present. Rim diameter: 22.5 cm at interior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 5 April, 2001.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 4 views (1: front; 2: side view, pipe bowl on left; 3: stem end; 4: top, looking into pipe bowl). 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 straight-sided cylindrical bowl has a flat, circular base with traces of red pigment. The bowl's rim has broken away. The stem joins the bowl above the base (referred to as a "double-angled" form). The stem flares slightly outward toward its rim. The stem's lip shows traces of red paint. The pipe's surface is unevenly blackened. The bowl is decorated with incised lines. Two horizontal lines bound a zone of repeated "X" incisions marked by traces of red pigment. Photo scale in cm. Site A212. 18 February, 2001.
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.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 4 views (bottom: pipe base; center left: view from side with bowl to right; center right: front of bowl; 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 has a cylindrical bowl and lobed ("quatrefoil") base, the bottom of which shows signs of abrasion. On the base, vertical grooves mark the areas between lobes. Four horizontal gooves separate the base from a zone of vertical columns of diagonal impressions ("V"). Upper areas of the bowl are marked by another set of horizontal grooves. The bowl's rim is missing. Its stem joins the bowl at the base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem ends in a collar with a flat lip. The stem is decorated with two grooves line around its circumference. Photo scale in cm. Site A236. 23 March, 2001.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 3 views (bottom: pipe base; center: view from side with bowl to left; 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 has a cylindrical bowl and rounded base that shows extreme use-wear abrasion to that point that a hole has formed in the pipe's base. The bowl is decorated with two sets of horizontal incisions. Below the bottom set are several vertical incisions. Above the top set is faint overall dentate impression The bowl's rimis very abraded. The pipe's stem joins the bowl at the base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem ends in a rounded collar with a flat lip. Photo scale in cm. Site A236. 24 March, 2001.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 2 views (bottom: view from side with pipe's bowl on 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 cylindrical bowl has a flared pedestal base which shows signs of wear/abrasion. The rim of the pipe bowl has broken away. The pipe's stem joins the bowl above the base (a "double-angled" form). The stem flares outward toward a flattened lip. The pipe's surface shows traces of overall red slip/paint. The pipe bowl is decorated with closely spaced rows of dentate impression. Soil adheres to the bowl's interior which was not washed after excavation. Photo scale in cm. Site A212. 17 Feburary, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim pottery jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, levels 15-16, where the jar was exposed in the south wall of the excavation unit. The jar has a carinated shoulder and a rounded base. The area above the carination was decorated by five unevenly placed horizontal grooved lines. In three places around the vessel's circumference, the grooved line just above the carination is marked by "ꓥ." In a zone that begins c. 2 cm below the carination, lower areas of the jar are surface treated with a carved roulette impression. The ceramic fabric includes mixed grit (including laterite and quartz) and likely also fine crushed slag. An INAA sample (Banda 40/3) from the jar could not be assigned to a known group. Roughly 2/3 of the vessel present. Rim diameter: 22.5 cm at interior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 5 April, 2001.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa (Banda 40), Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 15, South Wall
Photo of an everted-rim jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 1, Unit 1, Levels 4-5. The jar (Vessel 3) was found sitting upright in association with a cluster of several other complete and broken pots (Vessels 1 & 2) in what has been interpreted as a kitchen area. Most of the jar has been surface treated with a twisted cord roulette. Single pendant grooved lines surround the circumference of the jar. A total of five circular impressions, perhaps made with a hollow reed, are placed below the intersection points of the pendant grooves. A hole in the base of the pot (ca. 7 cm across) may have been deliberately broken in this otherwise whole pot. Rim diameter: 17.5 cm at exterior lip. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 3 April, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 1, Unit 1, Levels 4-6. The jar (Vessel 2) was found sitting upright in association with a cluster of several other complete (Vessels 1 & 3) and broken pots in what has been interpreted as a kitchen area. The upper surface of the round-based jar is undecorated. In a zone bounded by double grooved lines, the base and lower surface of the jar is surface treated with maize cob roulette. Groups of three circular punctates mark the spots where gooved lines meet. A hole in the base of the pot (4 x 3.5 cm) may have been deliberately broken in this otherwise whole pot. Rim diameter: 20.5 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 4 March, 2001.
Photo of an everted-rim jar excavated from Ngre Kataa, Mound 4, Unit 1, Level 16. The undecorated exterior surface of the round-based jar is orange-brown from firing, with areas of black fire-clouding. Roughly 30% of jar is represented. Rim diameter: 21 cm at exterior lip. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa ("Banda 40"). 28 March, 2001.
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, 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 cylindrical bowl has a flared pedestal base, the bottom of which shows signs of wear/abrasion. The bowl's rim has broken away. The stem joins the bowl at the base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem flares at the rim to a flattened lip. The pipe bowl is decorated with closely spaced rows of dentate impression. The flared base is decorated with several clusters of incised lines. Photo scale in cm. Site A233. 10 March, 2001.
A short-stemmed, locally made clay smoking pipe, 3 views (center: view from side with pipe bowl to the left; top: view from top; bottom: view of base). 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 was recovered in pieces, which have been refitted. The pipe's bowl is outward flaring but is missing its rim. The bowl's base is flared and lobed (a "quatrefoil" form) and shows signs of wear/abrasion. The stem joins the bowl at its base (a "single-angled" form). The pipe stem is decorated with closely spaced incised lines, but its end and rim are missing. The bowl is decorated by bands of incised lines which bound zones of dentate impression. Dentate impressions mark the area between lobes on the base. The bowl's interior is blackened from use. Photo scale in cm. Site Makala Kataa. 3 July, 1989.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Makala Kataa, Station 6, Mound 5, Unit 4W 0S, Level 3
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, 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, the bottom of which shows signs of abrasion. Above its base, the pipe bowl is decorated with a zone of criss-cross incisions demarcated by two horizonal incisions (one above and one below). The bowl's rim is missing. Its stem joins the bowl above its base (a "double-angled" form). The stem flares somewhat toward its lip which is flattened. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 27 May, 2009.
Stem and base of a clay smoking pipe, 2 views (bottom: view from side with pipe bowl to the right; top: view from top). Short-stemmed 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 has a round flared base. Its bowl is missing. The stem joins the bowl at the base (a "single-angled" form). The cylindrical stem has a collared, lobed ("quatrefoil") lip with circular impressions and small incisions on each of four lobes. The pipes is decorated overall with a red slip. Photo scale in cm. Site Makala Kataa. 27 June, 1990.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Makala Kataa, Station 6, Mound 4, Unit 14W 35S, Level 11
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.
Photo of a pottery bowl rim, interior view, with profile depicted (left). The shallow bowl's flattened rim is decorated with intersecting red painted lines, and the interior surface with zones of red paint. A narrow band of red paint appears on the external lip of the bowl, which has an otherwise plain exterior surface. An INAA sample ("Banda 27-7") from this bowl was assigned to the "K2" group of ceramic fabrics. It was therefore likely made from clays mined east of the Banda hills. Rim diameter: 26 cm at the interior lip. Sherd represents an estimated 12% of the bowl's circumference. Scale in cm. Site Banda 27. 27 January, 2001.
Interior view (left) and exterior view (right) of a partial pottery jar. The pot was found insitu near an anvil/grinding stone in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop. The jar's everted rim is rounded (right, top). Its exterior surface (right, bottom) shows evidence of layering, with an upper layer of clay added to a leather-hard lower layer before the pot was fired. The pot's walls are thicker than typical domestic pottery. Its find location suggests that it was probably made for an industrial rather than domestic purpose (possible pot bellow?). Dark smudging on the exterior surface affected both the upper and lower layers of clay, implying that it was exposed to high heat in a reducing atmosphere after manufacture. Striations on the vessel's interior (left) are the result of smoothing and forming during manufacture, with a small area of post-manufacture smudging visible (upper left). The vessel's ceramic fabric is tempered with laterite and crushed slag inclusions. It was found in close association with an anvil/grinding stone (GS 09-15), a circular iron disc (SF 09-370) and an irregularly shaped flat piece of iron (SF 09-371). Intact rim's diameter (exterior lip): 13.5 cm. Photo scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 July 2009.
A large insitu anvil/grinding stone in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop. It is associated with several smaller stones that show signs of use as grinding or hammer stones. On the northwest side of the stone is a partial pottery vessel--unusual for its layered construction (NK 09-787). To the right of the partial pot are two flat iron discs (larger, above, SF 09-370 and smaller, below SF 90-371). The smaller grinding stone (upper left of photo) rested, grinding surface down, on top of a pottery jar (NK 09-788) which was exposed in the next excavation level. Photo scale bar in 5 cm increments. Photo arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 July 2009.
A large insitu anvil/grinding stone in an area interpreted by archaeologists as a metallurgical workshop (two views). It is associated with several smaller stones that show signs of use as grinding or hammer stones. On the northwest side of the large stone (GS 09-15) is a partial pottery vessel--unusual for its layered construction (NK 09-787). Sitting adjacent to the partial pot are two flat iron discs (larger one, above in photo 1, SF 09-370 and smaller, below in photo 1, SF 90-371). A smaller grinding stone (GS 09-24) sits northeast of the anvil stone, positioned with its grinding surface down. It rested on top of a pottery jar (NK 09-788) which was exposed in the next excavation level. An area of fire-hardened sediment to the southeast of the anvil stone (photo 2) is interpreted as part of a forging feature. Photo scale bar in 5 cm increments. Photo arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 July 2009.
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.
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.
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.