Archaeological Survey of Gurgu Settlement In Jos-East Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Filed in Articles by on July 11, 2022

Archaeological Survey of Gurgu Settlement In Jos-East Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

With the availability of archaeological materials on Gurgu abandoned settlement, the history of Gurgu is still clouded in obscurity. This is due to the non archaeological work conducted on the abandoned settlement.

Thus, this research was carried out at Gurgu abandoned settlement because of the need to reconstruct the history of Gurgu and alongside document its finds and features for posterity due to the threat posed to it by human activities such as farming and animal grazing.

This research however employs the use of methods such as review of written documents, oral traditions, archaeological reconnaissance survey, as well as classification, analysis and interpretation of archaeological finds and features that have been identified, observed and documented.

Based on the oral account retrieved, the first clan to have inhabited the “Igun Hill” is the Afebarkachi, although the period of inhabiting the site was not ascertained.

The Afebarkachi was later joined by the fekaribir, the Afedurbi and lastly the Afesem. These four clans gave rise to the name of the hill they inhabited “Igun Hill”, literally means, “Togetherness”.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE..

DECLARATION…… ii

CERTIFICATION. iii

DEDICATION…… iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS….v

ABSTRACT… vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS. viii

LIST OF FIGURES…x

LIST OF PLATES…xi

LIST OF TABLES…..   xiii

LIST OF CHARTS   xiv

GLOSSARY…   xv

CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Introduction1

  • Statement of Research Problem…      1
  • Scope of the Research…. 2
  • Aim and Objectives of the Research.   2
  • Methods of Research……    2
    • Written Sources…  3
    • Oral tradition…..  3

1.5.4   Archaeological reconnaissance survey…..   6

  • Literature Review……  7
  • Theoretical Framework…..      13

CHAPTER TWO GEOGRAPHICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

  • Geographical Location     16
  • Climate……….    16
  • Geology and Soil…   20
  • Drainage…….    22
  • Vegetation….. 22
  • Historical Background…….  23

CHAPTER THREE ETHNOGRAPHIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GURGU SITE

  • Settlement Description…..    26
  • Economic System…..     27
  • Traditional Burial28
  • Religious Beliefs…     29
  • Archaeological Survey of Gurgu Site.. 32
  • Finds and Features….  33
    • Lower grinding stones……….    35
    • Remains of house walls and a circular stones arrangement… 35
    • Potsherds……   39

CHAPTER FOUR CLASSIFICATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDS AND FEATURES

  • Introduction….    40
  • Pottery Classification and Analysis…  41
    • Colour characteristics….. 41
    • Vessel parts…  43
    • Rim forms……      44

5.2.5       Decorative motif…      51

  • Interpretation of Finds and Features……   61
    • Finds…..    62
    • Features…… 64

CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

  • Summary……..   66
  • Conclusion…. 67

REFERENCES…  70

INTRODUCTION

This research focuses on the archaeological study of Gurgu abandoned settlement. The name Gurgu applies to the abandoned settlement and their present settlement today which is about three to four kilometres away.

Gurgu people are part of the broader Afizere ethnic group, but speak the Ikyo dialect. The Gurgu sub-group is made up of four clans; Afebarkachi, Afekaribir. Afedurbi, and the Afesem.

These clans all inhabited Gurgu abandoned settlement in time past. However, each of these clans arrived at different times to the settlement. This site is located in the plains bordering the southern part of the Igun Hill.

REFERENCES

Abok, M. N. (1988), “The Afizere (Jarawa) People of Nigeria”. National Museum Press, Jos Abubakar, S. S., and Haour, A. (2014), The Archaeology of Northern Nigeria: Trade, People
and Politics, 1500 BP Onwards. Sainsbury Research Unit, University of East Ang, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom Published online: 08 Dec. 2014.
Ajiji, D. N. (2011), “Colonialism Inter-Group Relations in The Central Nigeria Highlands The Afizere Story”. Published by Aboki Publishers, A Division of Aboki Associate 43 New Bridge (Otukpo) Road P.O. Box 161, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
Aliyu, M. K. (1986). An Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey of Old Dutsen Wai in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria; An undergraduate project Department of Archaeology, University of Nnsukka.
Aliyu, M. K. (2006), “Defination of Concepts: Historical Archaeology and Ethno- archaeology. In: Okpoko, A. I. and Aliyu, M. K. (Eds). “Ethno-archaeology: An African Perspective: A. B. U. Press Limited. P. M. B. 1094, Zaria, Nigeria, Pg 50-54
Alabi, R. A. (2001), “Archaeology; Contemporary Theories, Methods and Approach”. In: M. A Sowunmi, C. A. Folorunsho and D. A, Aremu (Eds.) Basics in Archaeological and Anthropological Theories and Methods. FOLDAK Publishers Ltd. Ibadan
Ames, D. G. (1934), Gazeeteers of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria Vol iv, The Highland Chieftainces (Plateau Province), Frank Cass: London
Andah B. W. & A. I. Okpoko (1994); Practicing Archaeology in Africa. Wisdom Publishers Limited, Ibadan.
Bakinde, C. O. (2006), “Oral Tradition, Linguistics and ethno-archaeology”. In: Okpoko, A.and Aliyu M. (Eds.).  Ethno-archaeology:  An  African Perspective.    A. B. U. Press Limited P. M. B. 1094, Zaria, Nigeria,Pg 55-64

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