History of Archaeological Research in the Yoruba-Edo region of Nigeria: New Directions for Urban Earthen works

Olanrewaju Lasisi

College of William and Mary

[email protected]

Abstract

Nigerian archaeology has been through series of developmental stages. The current trend in the studies of urbanization takes a cue from postcolonial pedagogy which seeks to interpret indigenous material cultures from the eye view of their makers. This echoes a localized model of urbanization. Methods and paradigms for urbanism expand and indigenous archaeologists have their voices heard without the outside veil. Despite these advances in methods and approaches, little is being explored in the direction of earthworks and earthwork studies to corroborate researches on urbanization and state consolidation. This article turns the light on this avenue and suggests that more earthen works should be investigated if unanswered questions of urbanism must be answered.