Members of Gbaŋmbɛ Katoo demonstrate the use of a (partially constructed) balo or xylophone (sinyeele in Nafaanra). The instrument is played at special funerals, including those of the paramount chief. A calabash with a small hole lies beneath the instrument. Together with other calabashes of graded size (small to large), it serves as the instrument's resonating chamber when fully assembled. By striking the sinyeele's wooden keys with a mallet, a range of musical notes are produced by the differently sized calabashes. Nyua Kwadwo (male family head) holds the mallets he uses to play the sinyeele. On each wrist he wears an iron bangle or bracelet with metal jangles. To the left, a family member plays a drum made from a clay pot. Sanwa, 6 August, 1986.
Insitu pottery and iron artifacts associated with clusters B-D of what archaeologists interpret as a shrine (clusters A-D) which capped stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Bottom left, at the base of a balk supporting the unit peg, is cluster D, comprised of two stones flanking an iron disc, laid flat (SF 09-158), and a tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-159). In front and left (east) of the tree stump is a large cluster (C) of pottery lids, partial pots and iron objects, including an iron bangle (SF 09-148) and a pair of miniature iron manacles (SF 09-171, "B"-shaped object). To the right (west) of the tree stump, another cluster of pottery and iron objects can be seen. Top right of the photo, a yellow notebook rests on top of an anvil/grinding stone (GS 09-32), next to which rested a poorly preserved section of an elephant ivory tusk. North arrow photo scale marked in 5 cm increments, arrow pointing north. View looking towards southwest. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
Insitu pottery and iron artifacts associated with clusters C and D of what archaeologists interpret as a shrine that capped stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Cluster D appears in the foreground, left, below unexcavated soil remaining around the 48N 8W unit peg. Here two small stones flank a flat iron disc (SF 09-159, left) and a tri-looped iron bangle (SF 09-158, right). Cluster C is a large grouping of pottery and iron objects located north of the tree stump, center photo. Included were several whole pottery lids, a broken but mostly complete jar associated with an iron bangle (SF 09-148) and a pair of miniature iron manacles (SF 09-171). The bangle is visible, resting on a soil pedestal in front of the tree trunk's center. In the photo's upper right, a large anvil stone (GS 09-32), on which sits a yellow notebook, is visible. Flanking this stone on its western edge was a portion of an ivory tusk. Photo scale marked in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
Insitu pottery and iron artifacts associated with cluster C of what archaeologists interpret as a shrine (clusters A-D) that capped stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Center photo are two large pieces of an everted-rim jar, its exterior surface facing outward. Immediately above is a large portion of the same pot, its interior surface facing outward. Found positioned against the jar's interior surface was a pair of miniature iron manacles (SF 09-171, "B"-shaped object). An iron bangle (SF 09-148) was positioned at the jar's mouth, above the manacles. To the left of the bangle is the upper edge of a large grinding stone (GS 09-26), which later excavations revealed to be oriented with its grinding surface down. To the right of the bangle, a pedestal-handled pot lid (NK 09-381) rests with its interior surface oriented upward. At center photo, bottom, a pot lid with a strap handle (NK 09-382) rests on its side. To the right of the north arrow, portions of an another pedestal-handled pot lid lie with its interior oriented upward. Photo scale at upper right marked in cm. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
Insitu pottery and iron artifacts associated with cluster C of what archaeologists interpret as a shrine (clusters A-D) that capped stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Lower center of the photo are two large pieces of an everted-rim jar, its exterior surface facing outward. Immediately above is a large portion of the same pot, its interior surface facing outward. Found positioned against the jar's interior surface was a pair of miniature iron manacles (SF 09-171, "B"-shaped object). An iron bangle (SF 09-148) was positioned at the jar's mouth, above the manacles. To the left of the bangle is the upper edge of a large grinding stone (GS 09-26), which later excavations revealed to be oriented with its grinding surface down. To the right of the bangle, a pedestal-handled pot lid (NK 09-381) rests with its interior surface oriented upward. Photo scale marked in cm. View looking south. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 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 insitu iron bangle (SF 09-132) made from a flattened iron rod with overlapping ends. The bangle occurred as an isolated find in the upper levels of an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Photo scales marked in 5 cm increments. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 6 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.
Insitu pottery and iron artifacts associated with clusters B and C of what archaeologists interpret as a shrine that capped stratified deposits in a metallurgical workshop. Cluster B encompassed the objects on the south (right) side of the photo, west of (below) the tree stump. To the right of the black-and-white photo stick (lower right) is an iron spike (SF 09-174), a half bangle (SF 09-173) and a slightly curved iron disc (SF 09-172) in a carefully placed composition. Immediately to the east (above in the photo), an aglomeration of pottery sherds is stacked. Later excavation revealed a pedestal-handled pottery lid, dog skull and jaw bones carefully placed below these sherds in cluster B. Cluster C encompassed the artifacts to the north (left) of the tree stump. These included a series of pottery lids, portions of single pottery jar and sherds from other pots. An iron bangle (SF 09-148) is visible above and slightly left of the top photo scale, sitting adjacent to a pottery lid (NK 09-381) lying with its interior surface up. This wider shrine assemblage overlaid burned features associated with metalworking activities. Black-and-white photo scale in 5 cm increments. Arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
Yaw Frimpong uses a short-handled hoe with a wide blade to loosen and remove soil from an excavation unit (46N 8W) in mound 6 at Ngre Kataa. A second short-handled hoe with a narrower, thicker blade rests on the ground (foreground). To the right, colored flags mark artifacts previously excavated by Ben Nutour using a trowel and left insitu. Foreground is a coiled iron bangle/bracelet (SF 08-140), behind which is a partial large pottery bowl. Further excavations yielded a concentration of iron bangles and other objects suggestive of a shrine cluster in this and adjacent excavation units at mound 6. Ngre Kataa, 9 July 2008.
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.
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.
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 group of insitu artifacts interpreted by archaeologists as a shrine cluster, located in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The cluster included a lost-wax-cast twinned figurine (bottom center), an iron bangle (center), a waterworn quartz pebble, a bone fragment (upper left of bangle), a broken iron blade (left of the bone fragment) and a tanged iron blade (upper left of the bangle). An irregularly shaped quartzite cobble (upper left) may have been part of the cluster. Photo scale in cm, arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 19 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.
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.
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University of Victoria Libraries
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Ngre Kataa, Mound 6, Unit 48N 8W, Level 5. Piece plot: 108-112 cm S, 137-144 cm W, 108-110 cm bd
The body and base of a large pottery bowl has been exposed by exavation in unit 46N 8W. Surrounding this bowl was a cluster of sherds from other pottery vessels, now removed to expose several iron bangles of different shapes and sizes, seen insitu here. Between the bowl and the photo scale is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-169) formed from a spiral-twisted rod. Pedestaled to the right of the bowl (east) is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-140) made from a round rod that was coiled. Visible in the wall behind and to the right of the bowl (north) is a smalled coiled iron bangle made from a flattened piece of iron (SF NK 08-182). This cluster (A) was part of a larger cluster (A-D) of artifacts that archaeologists interpret as a shrine placed in a metallurgical workshop. Rootlets are visible in the wall and floor of the unit. View looking north. Photo scale in 5 cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 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.
The body and base of a large pottery bowl has been exposed by exavation in unit 46N 8W. Surrounding this bowl was a cluster of sherds from other pottery vessels, now removed to expose several iron bangles of different shapes and sizes, seen insitu here. At the base of the photo, center, is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-169) formed from a spiral-twisted rod. Pedestaled to the right of the bowl (east) is an iron bangle (SF NK 08-140) made from a round rod that was coiled. Visible in the wall behind and to the right of the bowl (north; above the photo scale) is a small coiled iron bangle made from a flattened piece of iron (SF NK 08-182). A smaller bangle-like artifact lies directly above the pot, center photo (north; SF 08-139). This area (cluster A) was part of a larger cluster (clusters A-D) of artifacts that archaeologists interpret as a shrine placed in a metallurgical workshop. Rootlets are visible in the wall and floor of the unit. View from above, north at top of photo. Photo scale in cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 9 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.
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.
A group of insitu artifacts interpreted by archaeologists as a shrine cluster, located in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The cluster included a partial everted-jar rim (center), in front of which (north) was a carefully placed group of iron objects, including a flattened iron disc (SF 09-172) standing on edge, a long spike (SF 09-174) positioned horizontally, on top of which rested a half bangle (SF 09-173). To the right (west) of the jar rim is another iron bangle (SF 90-170). These objects are surrounded by broken pieces of pottery. This cluster (B, 8-10) was part of a larger grouping of objects (clusters A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine feature that capped a metallurgical workshop. View looking south. Photo scale marked in 5 cm increments. Site Ngre Kataa. 10 June 2009.
A group of insitu artifacts interpreted by archaeologists as a shrine cluster, located in a metallurgical workshop (mound 6). The cluster included a partial everted-jar rim (upper right), in front of which (north) was a carefully placed group of iron objects, including a flattened iron disc (SF 09-172) standing on edge, a long spike (SF 09-174) positioned horizontally, on top of which rested a half bangle (SF 09-173). To the right (west) of the jar rim is another iron bangle (SF 90-170). To the right of this, surrounded by moistened soil, the edge of a large grinding stone (GS 09-32) is visible. Surrounding these objects are broken pieces of pottery. This cluster (B, 8-10) was part of a larger grouping of objects (clusters A-D) that archaeologists interpret as a shrine feature that capped a metallurgical workshop. Arrow pointing north, view from above. Photo scale marked in 5 cm increments. 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.