Waja

An Insight to 50 years of Archaeological Research in Nigeria

By
Kola Adekola

Department of Archaeology and Anthropology,
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
E mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: +234-8023374474

ABSTRACT
Archaeology is perhaps one of the best barometers to examine 50years
of African study research in Nigeria. It is no gain saying that
archaeology has a central role in providing a holistic understanding of
Nigerian history both with regard to its temporal depth and
complexity. For the past five decades’ scientific research in archaeology
has witnessed an exponential growth from the pioneer efforts of
individuals like Thurstan Shaw, Bernard Fagg and Frank Willett. The
foundation by the pioneers is exemplified by Thurstan Shaw’s
archaeological investigations in Igbo-Ukwu and Iwo-Eleru in the
South Eastern and South Western Nigeria respectively. Arguably,
they were the benchmarks for archaeological investigations in the entire
West African region.
The tempo of archaeological research has improved tremendously
following these earlier works. This essay, therefore, critically examines
some of the archaeological researches conducted in Nigeria with the aim
of highlighting the trajectories of development. It also argues that
perhaps with more funding (for equipment, fieldwork exercise, dating);
training and re-training of archaeologists, the Nigerian field has a lot
of potentials in the understanding of the myriads of problems
confronting the Nigerian state in particular and the global community
in general.
Keywords: Archaeological research in Nigeria; Nigerian
archaeologist; Nok; Ife; Esie; Sungbo-Eredo