THE LAGOS CLASSTHE LAGOS CLASS

NWAZOTA KENENWAZOTA KENE ELIAS YEWANDEELIAS YEWANDE SULEIMAN RUKAYATSULEIMAN RUKAYAT OMEIHE OLUOMAOMEIHE OLUOMA ADEBAYO CHRISTIANAADEBAYO CHRISTIANA

FOSSILS IN NIGERIAFOSSILS IN NIGERIA

IGBO-UKWUIGBO-UKWU

Brief history of Igbo-UkwuBrief history of Igbo-UkwuIgbo-Ukwu is a village Art in Anambra State (South-Eastern part of Igbo-Ukwu is a village Art in Anambra State (South-Eastern part of Nigeria). The art was discovered in the year 1938 by the Anozie Nigeria). The art was discovered in the year 1938 by the Anozie family . family .

That year a man by name Isaiah Anozie set out to dig a water That year a man by name Isaiah Anozie set out to dig a water cistern in his compound when he discovered a number of bronze cistern in his compound when he discovered a number of bronze objects. Nok art, like the Igbo-Ukwu bronze objects, provides us objects. Nok art, like the Igbo-Ukwu bronze objects, provides us with the first evidence of a culture that made use of iron. The with the first evidence of a culture that made use of iron. The bronze found in the small village of Igbo-Ukwu near Awka in bronze found in the small village of Igbo-Ukwu near Awka in Onitsha province, east of the River Niger, provides us with the first Onitsha province, east of the River Niger, provides us with the first evidence of the artistic use of copper alloys in the whole of Black evidence of the artistic use of copper alloys in the whole of Black Africa.Africa.

The town of Awka is today famous for its blacksmithing The town of Awka is today famous for its blacksmithing and carved wood door panels and stools. Like most and carved wood door panels and stools. Like most spectacular archeological findings in the world, the spectacular archeological findings in the world, the discovery of the bronze of Igbo-Ukwu was accidental. discovery of the bronze of Igbo-Ukwu was accidental.

It is thought that similar findings were made at this It is thought that similar findings were made at this site as early as 1922. Some of the pieces recovered site as early as 1922. Some of the pieces recovered were deposited with the Nigerian government, but were deposited with the Nigerian government, but some found their way to the British Museum in some found their way to the British Museum in London. It was not until 1955 that the site was London. It was not until 1955 that the site was scientifically excavated by Thurstan Shaw on the scientifically excavated by Thurstan Shaw on the invitation of the Federal Department of Antiquities of invitation of the Federal Department of Antiquities of Nigeria and by the same archeologist in 1964 on Nigeria and by the same archeologist in 1964 on behalf of the University of Ibadan.behalf of the University of Ibadan.

As a result of these excavations, Igbo-Ukwu bronzes As a result of these excavations, Igbo-Ukwu bronzes can be seen in five places- the Nigerian Museum can be seen in five places- the Nigerian Museum Lagos, the Nigerian Museum Jos, Kaduna Museum, Lagos, the Nigerian Museum Jos, Kaduna Museum, the University of Ibadan Museum and Museum of the University of Ibadan Museum and Museum of Mankind in LondonMankind in London

One of the excavations was an amazing burial One of the excavations was an amazing burial chamber made for someone believed to be an chamber made for someone believed to be an important dignitary, probably a great leader (Eze Nri) important dignitary, probably a great leader (Eze Nri) about 1000 years ago.about 1000 years ago.

Inside this chamber were:Inside this chamber were:

a)a) A staff- top with a bronze leopard skullA staff- top with a bronze leopard skullb)b) 3 elephant tusks3 elephant tusksc)c) The remains of a fly-whiskThe remains of a fly-whiskd)d) Fan holder, armlets, anklets, crown and altar stand.Fan holder, armlets, anklets, crown and altar stand.

Other items excavated from the Anozie Compound were: Other items excavated from the Anozie Compound were: Pot-stand with male and female figure images seperated Pot-stand with male and female figure images seperated

by open work panels of snakes with frogs in their mouths.by open work panels of snakes with frogs in their mouths. Over a hundred thousand beads.Over a hundred thousand beads. A disposal pit that contained a jumble of copper and A disposal pit that contained a jumble of copper and

bronze wristlets.bronze wristlets. Bells and bell jars.Bells and bell jars. A large quantity of broken pottery and some intact vessels.A large quantity of broken pottery and some intact vessels. Igbo-Ukwu roped pot: a water-pot set on its own pedestal Igbo-Ukwu roped pot: a water-pot set on its own pedestal

enclosed in rope-work.enclosed in rope-work. Igbo-Ukwu bowl cast by the lost wax method in imitation of Igbo-Ukwu bowl cast by the lost wax method in imitation of

a decorated calabash.a decorated calabash. Large pot excavated by the disposal pit. Its handle imitates Large pot excavated by the disposal pit. Its handle imitates

basket work and between them are two snakes, a ram basket work and between them are two snakes, a ram head and a chameleon.head and a chameleon.

The excavations were discovered at different sites The excavations were discovered at different sites namely: Igbo Isaiah, Igbo Jonah and Igbo Richard namely: Igbo Isaiah, Igbo Jonah and Igbo Richard according to their order of discovery and excavations.according to their order of discovery and excavations.

The Igbo-Ukwu figures were the highest singular The Igbo-Ukwu figures were the highest singular excavations. These figures are very unique in that the excavations. These figures are very unique in that the bronze has an alloy of copper and bronze objects of bronze has an alloy of copper and bronze objects of considerable artistic excellence.considerable artistic excellence.

Some of these excavations are presently displayed in Some of these excavations are presently displayed in the national museum in Lagos.the national museum in Lagos.

Igbo-Ukwu Roped Pot. A water pot set on its own pedestal enclosed in rope work and leaded bronze

Roped Pot

A bronze bowl- an imitation of a decorated calabash.

Bronze Bowl Female Pot Stand

The male and female pot-stand figure separated by openwork panels of snakes with frogs in their mouths.

Male Pot Stand

Bronze Pot

Igbo-Ukwu large pot excavated from the disposal pit. Its handles imitates basket works, and between them are two snake head, a ram’s head and a chameleon.

Fly – whisk handles showing horseman with facial scarification. The Fly–whisk indicates rank and title.

Leopard’s Skull

A staff top with a Bronze leopard’s skull on a copper rod

Pendants

Bronze Snail

PHOTO PHOTO GALLERYGALLERY