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)
Two views of a twinned lost wax cast copper alloy figurine from Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 44N 6W, Feature 5 cluster. Height: 5.9 cm. Weight: 31.3 g. Ngre Kataa, 19 July, 2008.
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.
Miniature lost wax cast spoon, perhaps a gold weight. From Ngre Kataa, Mound 7, Unit 14N 22E, Level 8. Length: 4.3 cm. Weight: 2.1 g. Ngre Kataa, 27 June, 2009.
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)
Finger ring made from twisted copper alloy wire. From Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 44N 4W, Level 5. Width: 2.3 cm. Weight: 1.6 g. Ngre Kataa, 8 July, 2009.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An iron artifact (SF 09-031) recovered from screened soil taken from the southern end of excavation unit 50N 2W where two large boulders used as anvil/grinding stones were located. In the unit's northwest corner was a burned feature interpreted as the remains of a forge in an area where metalworking took place. The flat iron object is pointed on one end and has two rounded lobes at the other, perhaps to facilitate turning (like a key?). Its function is unknown. The object has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 5.7 cm. Weight: 9.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 30 May 2009.
Excavation of a shrine cluster, two images. The image on left shows a pottery cluster, first exposed in June 2008, as it appeared on 10 June 2009. At bottom center of this image is a pedestal base, above which is a tight cluster of rim sherds. The curved sherd on the far right in this image is the outer edge of the pedestal-handled lid, which is fully exposed in the photo on the right, taken on 16 June 2009. A dog skull in a highly friable state is visible above and to the right of this lid in both photos. In the imgae on the right, an iron bangle (SF 09-219) can be seen resting in an angled position, below and left of which is a dog mandible. These were uncovered by excavation below and behind the pedestal base seen in the picture on the left. Photo scale marked in 5 cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 and 16 June 2009.
An iron bangle (SF 09-132) made from a flattened iron rod with overlapping ends. One end of the bangle is bent inward. The bangle occurred as an isolated find in the upper levels of an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The bangle has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 7.9 cm. Weight: 25.6 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 6 June 2009.
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.
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.
A curved, tanged iron blade (brɔfiɛn in Nafaanra), slightly shouldered at the base (right), with a short narrow tang for the purpose of hafting to a wood handle. The tool shows signs of corrosion. The artfiact was excavated from a house mound. Scale in cm. Length: 19.1 cm. Weight: 54.7 g. Ngre Kataa, 4 June, 2009.
Miniature iron shackles (manacles). The artifact was excavated from a context that archaeologists interpret as a shrine located in metallurgical workshop. The shrine included many pottery jars and lids, iron bangles and other objects. The miniature shackles were placed inside a pottery jar, which was found lying on its side and broken. The shackles have been corroded by rust. Scale in cm. Width: 7.4 cm. Weight: 16.1 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9-10 June, 2009.
Iron projectile point, the head of which (left) has a rounded base. Two small barbs project from the point's long tang. 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, in the vicintiy of anvil and grinding stones and features interpreted as forges. The projectile point shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 15.2 cm. Weight: 16 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 50N 6W, Level 5. Piece plot 68-79 cm S, 22-23 cm W, 110 cmbd
Triangular-headed iron projectile point with squared base (left) and 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 excavated from what archaeologists interpret as a house mound. It shows signs of corrosion by rust. Scale in cm. Length: 9.6 cm. Weight: 12.6 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 3 June, 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 7, Unit 10N 30E, Level 6. Piece plot, 44 cm S, 127 cm W, 76 cmbd
Iron projectile point. The head (left) is asymmetrical, perhaps the result of its base being broken. The intact side of the base is shouldered. Two small barbs protrude from opposite sides of the point's long tang (right). To make an arrow, the tang would have been inserted into a shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood. This point was found in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The artifact has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 10.1 cm. Weight: 8.9 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 June, 2009.
A tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-158) and a flat iron disc (SF 09-159) exposed insitu between two stones. The surfaces of the stones showed signs of use for grinding. This group of objects (cluster D) was found near--and may have been part of--a larger cluster of objects (A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine placed over stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Photo scale marked in 5 cm intervals. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 June 2009.
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)
Asymmetrical barbed iron projectile point with a bent shaft. This artifact was found in an area that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. It was found near--and may have been part of--a large cluster of objects interpreted as a shrine. The (partial?) point has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 9.1 cm. Weight: 11.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa, 6 July 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 48N 8W, Level 6. Piece plot, 5 cm S, 5 cm W, 102 cm bd
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.
A circular iron bangle, made from a rounded iron rod with abutting ends (bottom of photo). The bangle's surface is corroded by rust. This artifact was found closely associated with a copper alloy twinned figurine, a tanged iron blade, 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. Maximum diameter: 8.1 cm. Weight: 75 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 (SF 09-033) with a slightly squared base (left ) and a short 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 close to several anvil/grinding stones in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The projectile point shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 8.1 cm. Weight: 9.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 30 May 2009.
Iron projectile point with an asymmetrical head (left), a single barbed at the base of the head and a small barb on the opposite side along the tang. To make an arrow, the long tang (right) would have been inserted into a shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood. This artifact was found in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The point has been corroded by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 15.2 cm. Weight: 13.7 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 2 June 2009.
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.
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
A piece of a copper alloy (brass) bar, found in association with burned features that archaeologists interpret as linked to metalworking (left: side view; right, end views). The bar is square in cross-section (right). One end appears finished and has a slight circular depression or dimple (bottom right). The other end (top right) is jagged and appears to be broken from a longer bar. The artifact was recovered from soil associated with an amorphous burned feature, underneath which were a series of burned basins likely created by forging activities. The object is similar in appearance to brass bars known from the Ma'adin Ijafen cache of brass ingots documented by Theodore Monod in eastern Mauritania in the 1960s. As such, this may be the form in which metalworkers got the copper alloys that were worked at the site. Length: 1.7 cm. Weight: 2.8 g. Scale in cm. Site Ngre Kataa. 25 June 2009.
A flat, thin iron disk. The object is corroded by rust. Its function is unknown. The disc was found in close association with a large anvil or grinding stone and adjacent to a distinctive pottery vessel and a smaller, irregularly shaped piece of flat iron (SF 09-171). This group of objects was located within an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Scale in cm. Width: 9.4 cm. Thickness: .2 cm. Weight: 49.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 July 2009.
A flat, irregularly shaped iron with circular depression. The object is corroded by rust and its original form and function are unknown. It was found in close association with a large anvil or grinding stone (GS 09-15), a circular iron disk (SF 09-370) and a distinctive pottery vessel (NK 09-787). This group of objects was located within an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Scale in cm. Width: 5.7 cm. Thickness: .2 cm. Weight: 9 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 July 2009.
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.
Partial iron projectile point, the tip of the head (left) broken off. The base of the head forms a right angle barb with the short tang. The tang (right) would have been inserted into a shaft made of bamboo, reed or lightweight wood to form an arrow. This point was found in an area (mound 7) that archaeologists interpret as a house mound. The artifact is corroded by rust. Scale in cm. Length: 9.1 cm. Weight: 13.6 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 4 June 2009.
Flat, thin iron disk (SF 09-159). The object is corroded by rust and its edges notched in two spots. Its function is unknown. The disc was found in a cluster (cluster D) with an iron bangle (SF 09-158) and two stones whose surfaces showed evidence of grinding. The cluster was part of a wider feature (clusters A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine, which overlaid stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). Scale in cm. Width: 8.1 cm. Thickness: .2 cm. Weight: 29.8 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 June 2009.
A tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-158). The bangle was formed from a single round iron rod, looped three times at the top (detail, left). The rod is joined with a single twist at the base, with each end of the rod overlaid by a thin iron strap (bottom), causing slight thickening on either side of the twisted base. The bangle was found in close association with a flat iron disc (SF 09-159) and two stones whose surfaces showed evidence of grinding (cluster D). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 8.5 cm. Weight: 30.2 g. Ngre Kataa. 9 June 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.
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.
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 pottery lid (NK 09-626) is positioned vertically with its interior surface facing south. Above it (slightly right) is a poorly preserved, friable dog skull. A large tree root has been truncated above and left of the pot lid. Beneath the lid is an iron bangle (SF 09-219), angled upward. The bangle is pressed up against a dog mandible, which has been placed at a diagonal angle below the pot lid, its mandibular joint oriented upward. Several teeth remain in the mandible. A burned feature can be seen immediately below this assemblage of objects. This cluster (B, 11) was part of a larger set of clusters (A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine in a metallurgical workshop. Photo scale at top in cm. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 June 2009.
A pottery lid (NK 9 09-626) is positioned vertically with its interior surface facing south. Above it (slightly right) is a poorly preserved, friable dog skull. A large tree root has been truncated above and left of the pot lid. Beneath the lid is an iron bangle (SF 09-219), angled upward. The bangle is pressed up against a dog mandible, which has been placed at a diagonal angle below the pot lid, its mandibular joint oriented upward. Several teeth remain in the mandible. A burned feature can be seen immediately below this assemblage of objects. This cluster (B, 11) was part of a larger set of clusters (A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine in a metallurgical workshop. Photo scale at top in cm. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 June 2009.
A fragmented pottery lid (NK 09-626) is positioned vertically with its interior surface facing south. A large tree root is visible behind the lid, below the sign board. A dog cranium positioned above and an iron bangle placed below the lid have been removed. Additional excavation has exposed several pottery rim sherds below a dog mandible, which is positioned diagonally below the pot lid with its mandibular joint oriented upward. Several teeth remain in the mandible. A second less well-preserved dog mandible has been exposed below this. A burned feature can be seen immediately below this assemblage of objects. This cluster (B, 11) was part of a larger set of clusters (A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine in a metallurgical workshop. Photo scale marked in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 30 June 2009.
An iron bangle (SF 09-219) made from a round iron rod, its ends fused to create a continuous circle. The bangle was found beneath a pottery lid in a composition that included a dog cranium and jaw bones (cluster B/11). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 7.6 cm. Weight: 26.8 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 48N 8W, Level 5. Piece plot: 108-112 cm S, 137-144 cm W, 108-110 cm bd
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.
A tree that took root atop a shrine cluster has been cut back to a stump (center photo). Most of the objects in the shrine clusters (B-C) have been removed. To the left and below the tree stump, clusters of pottery (10 & 11) can be seen, including a red-colored pottery lid oriented vertically (cluster 11). An iron bangle, a dog cranium and dog mandibles were found associated with that lid. To the right (north) of the stump, a tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-218) has been pedestaled (left of the black-and-white photo scale stick). The level above this had been covered by a cluster (cluster C) of pottery, including several pot lids, together with an iron bangle and a miniature pair of iron manacles. To the east and west, two large anvil stones are visible, one to the right (east) of the tree stump (GS 09-26) and one to the left (west, GS 09-32). To the left of the stump, a burned feature is visible below the pottery cluster (cluster 11). Photo scale bar marked in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 June 2009.
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
An iron bangle (SF 09-147) fragment made from a flattened iron rod. The fragment is bent at an acute angle. It was found in association with a pottery lid, other pottery sherds, a dog cranium and jaw bones (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. The bangle fragment shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 7.1 cm. Weight: 9.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 June 2009.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Provenance:
Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 48N 8W, Level 2. Piece plot: 93 cm S, 144 cm W, 70-80 cm bd
An iron bangle (SF 09-170) made from a round iron rod with flattened ends. The bangle is open on one side (3/4 circle). The bangle was found in association with pottery, other bangles and artifacts (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 5 cm. Weight: 8.2 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
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.
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.
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 iron"bangle" (SF 09-173) made from a flattened iron rod with rounded ends. The bangle is open on one side (1/2 circle). The bangle was found as part of a carefully laid set of objects that included an iron disc (SF 09-172) and iron spike (SF 09-174) among other artifacts (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 5 cm. Weight: 10 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
A tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-218) made from a continuous round iron rod. A detail of the triple loop is shown, right. The bangle ends are thickened and held together by a wire clasp. The bangle was found beneath a cluster (cluster C) of pottery, which archaeologists interpret as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. It rested in soil about 10 cm below a pedestal-handled pottery lid (NK 09-381) that was part of cluster C. The bangle shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 10.8 cm. Weight: 26.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 June 2009.
Two views of a large iron spike (SF 09-174) found as part of a carefully laid set of objects that included an iron disc (SF 09-172) and an iron bangle (SF 09-173), among other artifacts (cluster B). Archaeologists interpret this context as part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) in a metallurgical workshop. One side of the spike (lower image) is rounded in profile. On the opposite side (upper image), the spike has been flattened (right side) and its edges curved inward, perhaps to form a casing for a haft. The spike shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Length: 16.5 cm. Weight: 52.3 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
A slightly curved iron disc (SF 09-172). It was found positioned upright among a carefully placed set of objects in what archaeologists interpret as a shrine feature in a metallurgical workshop. A large iron spike (SF 09-174) and an iron bangle (SF 09-173) sat next to it. The disc shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Its function is unknown, though it may be a tool preform. The disc shows signs of corrosion by rusting. Scale in cm. Width: 10.7 cm. Weight: 89.8 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
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.