Ethnoarchaeological Survey of
Ugbene-Ajima, Enugu, Nigeria

By

Elochukwu A. Nwankwo
Department of Archaeology and Tourism,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
[email protected],
Edmund I. Itanyi
Department of Archaeology and Tourism,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
[email protected]
Jacinta U. Ikegwu

Humanities Unit, School of General Studies,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
[email protected]
Joshua O. Uzuegbu
Humanities Unit, School of General Studies,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
[email protected]
Uchenna H. Obieluem
Department of Archaeology and Tourism,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
[email protected].

and
Peter N. Obochi

Department of Archaeology and Tourism,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
[email protected]

Abstract
This paper is a report of an ethnoarchaeological investigation of Ugbene-Ajima in
Enugu State, Nigeria by a team of researchers. This was aimed at studying the
archaeological resources of the people with a view to interpret and reconstruct the
peoples past. Relevant archaeological methods and analyses like reconnaissance,
ethnography, excavation, stratigraphy and pottery analysis were employed to analyze
data collated. The result of the study shows that Ugbene- Ajima has rich
archaeological history. This is evidenced in the different slags and slag pits that
showed that iron smelting was carried out in the community in the past. Others include,
iron smelting technology debris, blacksmith technology, ancient pottery forms, cowries,
and other archaeological materials that were retrieved during a systematic excavation.
The implication of the study is that it will spur the community for further and more
detailed archaeological investigation future archaeologists
Keywords: Ethnoarchaeology; Archaeology; Excavation, Stratigrahpy, Iron
smelting; Pottery analysis.