View across open excavations in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. The photo centers on units 46N 8W (foreground) and the southern half of 48N 8W, the north wall of which (at 47N) can be seen behind the sign board. The exposed areas were excavated in 2008 and the photo taken in preparation for 2009 excavations. Traces of circular burned features, red-orange and yellow in color, can be seen in the freshly scraped surface of these units. The uppermost north arrow sits to the right (east) of the circular outline of a still-buried everted-rim jar. Another everted-jar rim can be seen exposed in the north wall at 47N. This rim and associated artifacts formed cluster B, part of a larger shrine feature (clusters A-D) that extended across the northern half of unit 48N 8W (beneath and behind the small tree trunk visible above and left of the sign board). Cluster A (unit 46N 8W) comprised a large pottery bowl surrounded by six iron bangles that was removed in 2008. It was positioned above and slightly west (left) of the burned feature (center photo) that is intersected by a tree root. Cluster B included the artifacts seen here in the north wall at 47N, together with an associated cluster of a pedestal-handled pot lid, dog skull and jaw bones revealed by further excavation beneath and west (left) of the tree stump. In the upper right of the photo (north and east), insitu anvil (GS 09-15, left) and grinding (GS 09-12, right) stones are visible in unit 50N 6W. Photo scales marked in 5 cm increments and measuring tape marks 2 m. Arrows pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 6 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.
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.
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 arc of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster that extended into adjacent units (where the trunk of a small tree is visible, upper left). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. Center photo, flanked by photo scales, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the right (east) of the burned features, two hammerstones rest insitu next to one another. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Far right, archaeologist Abass Iddrisu uses a trowel to expose the contours of burned sediment in an adjacent excavation unit. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
An arc of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster (A-D) that extended into adjacent units (where the trunk of a small tree is visible, above left of the sign board). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. The everted rim of a pottery jar visible in the north wall of the excavation unit (top left) was part of an adjacent cluster (B) that also included iron bangles (SF 08-183 & 184). Center photo, flanked by a photo scale, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the right (east) of the burned features, two hammerstones rest insitu next to one another. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.
An arc of orange-red burned features is being revealed by excavations in units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. To the left (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster that extended into adjacent units (where the everted jar rim is visible in the north wall, upper left). The base of this cluster was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo. To the north of the burned features (forward right of the sign board), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Far right, archaeologist Abass Iddrisu uses a trowel to expose the contours of burned sediment in an adjacent excavation unit. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 16 July 2008.
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.
An area of orange-red burned features has been exposed in excavation units 46N 8W and 48N 8W in an area (mound 6) that archaeologists interpret as a metallurgical workshop. Left, back (west), the body and base of a large pottery bowl (NK 08-522) has been pedestaled insitu. A number of iron bangles surrounded this bowl (cluster A) as part of a large shrine cluster (A-D) that extended into adjacent units. The everted jar rim visible in the north wall of the excavation (upper right) was part of this wider set (cluster B). The base of these clusters was about 20-30 cm above the burned basins exposed in this photo, which were likely associated with metal forging. Center photo, flanked by a photo scale, the round rim of a pottery jar is visible in outline. To the north of the burned features (right, foreground), a zone of white plaster-like sediment is visible. Red and white scale is two meters in length. Arrow pointing north. Site Ngre Kataa. 17 July 2008.