Archaeological study of Ozizza in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Attempt had been made, based on archeological survey and ethnographic data collection as well as palynolgical studies, petrology and mineralogy studies,to link connectivity between Ukpa, Ugwegu and Ozizza, Afikpo communities. Oral tradition was adopted in achieving these objectives. Okpoko (1982) observed that oral tradition is used to establish direct historical continuity between the past and the present inhabitants in a studied area. Cultural materials recovered during oral information collection attested to the much of what is known about the people. Although microlithic was not found at Ogba-eju, oral tradition characterized Ujii as a rock hollow on the sand stone ridge which was used to link Ohaodu first settlers in Ozizza in agricultural origin with that of Ukpa about 5000 – 3000Bp (Hartle, 1967). Based on the palynological studies, the site was dated withinLate Neogene to Holocene period. The area was, therefore, dated earlier than Okigwe (Holocene period) and comparable with Hartle’s date of 5000 – 3000 Bp (550 – 1050 Bc) and Chikwendu’s date 2580 – 80 Bp 2220 – 80 Bp (1020 + 90 BC) in both Ukpa and Ugwuegu in Afikpo sites respectively. The palynormph studies showed that the underscored area had impact of man and was dominated by Baculate spore, Cyathidites minor, Dictyophyllidite harrisii, Amaranthaecae, Monoprites etc. The uniqueness of the palynomorphical assemblages of the area at present can be divided into two: the dry and wet vegetation. The dry vegetation pattern was dominated by spores/ferns Punctatisporites sp etc., while the wet pattern was dominated by pollens and spores. Examples were Cyathidities minor, Baculate spore, Tricolpites etc. The wet period always promotes flooding in the area and the intersection of these seasons contain coal assemblages, the reason behind littering of pieces of coal at the sand stone hill along the hill in proximity to Cross River and close to Amaori sub-group of villages in Ozizza.The three sites in Afikpo have the same cultural affinity. Also, in the area of ethnographic resources (fishing, hunting, communication skill and festivities), they are equally the same. That suggests some degree of interaction among the three sites. The interaction was started and initiated from “Ndiegu – successors of “Ohaodu” (the missing link in Ozizza). There were other connectors such as dietary pattern of the past. This inference came from both snail shells and seed husks recovered from the three excavations conducted so far at Afikpo.