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The Archaeology and Ethnoarchaeology of Soap and Dye Making at Ijaye, Yorubaland

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Abstract

The study reports the use of ethnographic parallels to interpret excavated relics at Ijaye. Following some limited reconnaissance, archaeological relics, which included mounds and a ditch and embankment, were identified. Three test pits were dug on one of the mounds while an extensive excavation was carried out on another. The major excavation uncovered large pots placed on top of one another and arranged in a row. Ethnographic data were sought in some neighboring Yoruba settlements to understand the features uncovered in the excavations. Probable interpretation was soap and/or dye making.

L'étude rapporte sur l'emploi des matières ethnographiques pour l'interprétation des vestiges trouvées à Ijaye. A la suite des prospections limitées, des vestiges archéologiques ont été identifiées, parmi lesquelles étaient des amas et un fossé et rempart. Trois sondages ont été effectués sur un des amas, et une fouille a été effectuée sur un autre. Des grandes jarres entassées les unes sur les autres ont été découvertes dans la fouille. Les données ethnographiques ont été recherchées en des villes voisinantes pour bien comprendre des vestiges retrouvées en fouille. L'interprétation probable était la fabrication du savon et/ou teinture.

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Folorunso, C.A. The Archaeology and Ethnoarchaeology of Soap and Dye Making at Ijaye, Yorubaland. African Archaeological Review 19, 127–145 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016535202233

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016535202233

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