AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF UBASAA IRON WORKING SITE, CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF UBASAA IRON WORKING SITE, CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

This research work focuses on the study of iron working site at Ubassa in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The work concentrates on the documentation of the evidence of iron working in the area and how this industry affected the environment and human development in the area and its surroundings in general. The research has been conducted using traditions, archaeological survey, and classification and analyses of materials. The oral traditions collected focused on the history of the people who worked iron in the area including the history of iron working and its impact on the different aspects of human life. An archaeological survey of the site involved mapping of the site by determining the size of the site and the distribution of cultural materials on the site. Classification and analysis of artifacts and features was carried out using attributes observable through the naked eyes. Findings from this research work has been able to reveal that, the workers of iron in this area had a good understanding of their natural environment. The role the environment played in the choice of iron smelting sites has been demonstrated in this work as well. On the whole, the research although in its preliminary stage has illuminated aspects of the history of iron working at Ubassa site in Kaduna State.

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF UBASAA IRON WORKING SITE, CHIKUN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA