ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GURGU SETTLEMENT IN JOS-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GURGU SETTLEMENT IN JOS-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract:

With the availability of archaeological materials on Gurgu abandoned settlement, the history of Gurgu is still clouded in obscurity. This is due to the non archaeological work conducted on the abandoned settlement. Thus, this research was carried out at Gurgu abandoned settlement because of the need to reconstruct the history of Gurgu and alongside document its finds and features for posterity due to the threat posed to it by human activities such as farming and animal grazing. This research however employs the use of methods such as review of written documents, oral traditions, archaeological reconnaissance survey, as well as classification, analysis and interpretation of archaeological finds and features that have been identified, observed and documented. Based on the oral account retrieved, the first clan to have inhabited the “Igun Hill” is the Afebarkachi, although the period of inhabiting the site was not ascertained. The Afebarkachi was later joined by the fekaribir, the Afedurbi and lastly the Afesem. These four clans gave rise to the name of the hill they inhabited “Igun Hill”, literally means, “Togetherness”. But the four clans are known as the “Afeber” due to their choice of settlement. Reconnaissance survey of Gurgu abandoned settlement was carried out in order to document surface finds and features which are pertinent to this research because it provides the researcher with useful information about the extinct inhabitants of Gurgu site, which will improve our understanding of their history, their sacred grove, their religious belief, and their discarded grinding stones. Potsherds retrieved from the abandoned site of Gurgu during the reconnaissance survey; were classified, and analyzed via visual examination. Finally, this research has succeeded in reconstructing aspects of the history of Gurgu through its numerous archaeological resources that provided vital information on the inhabitant’s past ways of life

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF GURGU SETTLEMENT IN JOS-EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA