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.
An iron bangle (SF 09-148) made from a round iron rod that has been spiral-twisted. Its ends overlap and are rounded. The bangle was found placed on the inside surface of a pottery jar resting next to a pair of miniature iron manacles (SF 09-171), around which were other pottery rims and lids (cluster C). 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: 8.1 cm. Weight: 89.9 g. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 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.