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The Ceramic Assemblage of Tse Dura (Indyer Mbakuv) Rockshelter in Benue State, Central Nigeria

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Abstract

We analyzed the ceramic assemblage from a re-excavated section of Tse Dura rockshelter (KA4RS1) in central Nigeria’s Ushongo area to understand the archaeological sequence of human occupation and cultural changes. The analysis, focusing on motifs, forms, and petrography, identifies three phases of human occupation. The petrographic results, in particular, revealed three main fabric groups—TD-AC1, TD-AC2, and TD-AC3—all of which contain inclusions that are indicative of clay sources local to the Tse Dura rockshelter region. The first two groups, TD-AC1 and TD-AC2, contain similar inclusions; however, the third group, TD-AC3, exhibited slight variability. The variations in fabrics and inclusions are most probably related to the potters’ choice of different techniques and unique raw materials for specific vessels.

Résumé

Nous avons analysé l’assemblage céramique provenant d’une nouvelle fouille de la section de l’abri sous roche de Tse Dura (KA4RS1), dans la région d’Ushongo, au centre du Nigeria; afin de comprendre la séquence archéologique de l’occupation humaine et les changements culturels. L’analyse axée sur les motifs, les formes et la pétrographie, a permis d’identifier trois phases d’occupation humaine. Les résultats pétrographiques en particulier, ont révélé trois principaux groupes techniques-TD-AC1, TD-AC2, et TD-AC3-qui contiennent tous des inclusions indiquant des sources d’argile locales situées dans la région des abris rocheux de Tse Dura. Les deux premiers groupes, TD-AC1 et TD-AC2, contiennent des inclusions similaires; cependant, le troisième groupe, TD-AC3, présente une légère variabilité. Les variations dans la production et les inclusions sont très probablement liées au choix que les potiers portent sur les différentes techniques et les matières premières uniques pour la confection des récipients spécifiques.

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Acknowledgments

The research project was conducted under a Newton International Postdoctoral Fellowship (NF150625) awarded to EAO at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge. The McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, is appreciated for providing additional funding. Our gratitude to Dr. Tonko Rajkovaca of the McBurney Laboratory, University of Cambridge, for his assistance with the ceramic thin-section slides, and Macham Mangut for producing the illustrations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    E. A. Orijemie

  2. Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    E. A. Orijemie, A. Ceccarelli & C. A. I. French

  3. Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    A. Ceccarelli & C. A. I. French

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  1. E. A. Orijemie
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  2. A. Ceccarelli
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  3. C. A. I. French
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Correspondence to E. A. Orijemie.

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Orijemie, E.A., Ceccarelli, A. & French, C.A.I. The Ceramic Assemblage of Tse Dura (Indyer Mbakuv) Rockshelter in Benue State, Central Nigeria. Afr Archaeol Rev 38, 231–249 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-021-09424-y

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