60 Years of Archaeological Research and Practice in Southeast Nigeria:

An Appraisal

By

Edwin E. Okafor

Department of Archaeology and Tourism

University of Nigeria Nsukka

[email protected],

Elochukwu A. Nwankwo

Department of Archaeology and Tourism

University of Nigeria Nsukka

[email protected]

And

John U. Ngonadi

Department of Archaeology and Tourism

University of Nigeria Nsukka

[email protected]

Abstract

The advent of archaeology in Southeast Nigeria can be traced to the famous Igbo-Ukwu excavations in 1961 by Professor Thurstan Shaw and his team. Since then, the discipline has unravelled many other archaeological sites in the region. This study was aimed at looking at the archaeological research in Southeast Nigeria since 1961 with a view to understand the various progress, contributions, challenges and prospect of the discipline in the region. So many archaeological researches have been conducted in the region since inception with remarkable contributions. The famous Igbo-Ukwu bronze pot dated to 9^th BC, discovery of similar Acheulian tools at Ugwuelle, the discovery of the oldest iron working technology in West Africa in Lejja, among others. Archaeological research has contributed significantly to culture preservation and identity promotion of the region, and the consequential impact on the world archaeological map. Some challenges like poor funding, inadequate facilities, obsolete legislation, and poor public/community support, among others were identified as the challenges of archaeological research in Southeast Nigeria since inception in 1961. Practical recommendations like establishment of more archaeology departments in the region, institution of government special intervention scheme, public awareness and academic publications, support for regular students’ field school, systematic public/community orientation and involvement, among others, were recommended to consolidate archaeological research and practice in Southeast Nigeria. This study has implications for improved and sustainable archaeological research and practice in Southeast Nigeria.

Keywords: Archaeological research and practice, sites, museums; iron smelting; Excavations and reports.