Public Archaeology as a Tool for Tourism Promotion in Ebonyi

Abstract

These selected sites are located in Ebonyi State. Ancient mine hold a lot of potentials and a source of raw material used in Igbo-Ukwu Bronze, the impact of the lead/zinc in a technological development of a nation cannot be over emphases, Nigeria steel is been regard as one of the best iron in the world which Enyigba has in large quantity. The ancient town is a potential tourist destination which, when harnessed for tourism consumption will promote tourism and other activities in the area. Ezi-Ukpa rock shelter is rated as Abangbang rock shelter in Australia which is also known as Kakadu National Park as well as World Heritage Site, excavation carried out in Abangbang show that the site holds a lot of cultural resource, in the same manual scholars in archaeological field carried out excavation in Ezi-Ukpa rock shelter and after their discovering it was established that the site possesses tools of late stone age which is also cultural resource. In addition, Ezi-Ukpa rock shelter, Agbu-eji rock shelter, Uwanna sand beach, and other attractions in Afikpo could be named Afikpo or Ebonyi National Park. Odo-Owa-Oke-Eri local government area, Kwara State, Nigeria, the rock shelter also serve as religious center accommodating the home of Christ Apostolic Church founder and headquarter, worshiper also embark on pilgrims in the rock shelter and it is also believe that its spring water has the power to heal disease and sickness, likewise Ezi-Ukpa spring water it is also believe that it has power to heal disease and sickness. Aju festival among the Uburu group is just like any other festivals in the world like Olympic Games, Indian festival, Ofala festival, Abuja carnival, Argungu fishing festival which has developed to international festivals which the world adore today, in UK Arts, Music Festival alone attracts millions in attendance and people sees it as day in day out activities, like wise Aju festival among the people see it as part of their live, and it attracts thousands of people to the destination. Ngene-Ukwu-Enu shrine has also played role that qualify the Uburu to be named Indian of Africa, because the role India plays in religion tourism in the world today, which Ngene-Ukwu-Enu has the potentials too, its power to give child, protection and to solve other problems of humankind is a credit to the shrine as a destination for religious tourism in Nigeria, it is also source of revenue to the community, which when the money and other gift items generated from the shrine are channeled to other tourism development, like hotel, hospital, resort centers will in turn create employment to the people, which also will be a source of lively hope to the host community. Visiting museum and galleries as a whole is more popular activities than watching football and other live sporting events. Museum and Gallery in Ebonyi State is nothing to drive home about, apart from National Arts Gallery that pull total of 4002 for a period of ten years in the state. For museum and arts gallery to be functional, education should be the paramount of museum activities in the state, if they are to inject life in the museum as well as increase the number of tourists to the destination. Information therefore, is vital function of communication, which inform and enlighten and as well motivate tourist interest to embark on a journey or change environment that will enable them to recreate nature. Cultural resource in the state depend on what the media television to the world to see, the station has the highest voice in southeast, they should use it voice power to market the cultural resources to the general public. These selected sites hold a lot of potentials for technology, cultural, religious and social activities which, when harnessed for tourism development.