An Archaeological Survey of Zango Iron Smelting Site in Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VIII, August 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

An Archaeological Survey of Zango Iron Smelting Site in Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria

 An IBR Research Sponsored by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund)

Dr. M.O Fabunmi, Nura Bello, Jamilu Adamu, Bashar Maccido Aliyu
Department of History, School of Secondary Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria

I. INTRODUCTION

The discovery and the use of iron implements were found to be of great significance to the history of mankind worldwide. As the tools produce from iron turned to be more effective and efficient for man’s daily activities and safety. Its introduction has no doubt revolutionized man’s way of life. As a result of that, the period that marked the beginning and utilization of iron technology came to be known by archaeologists and historians as the Iron Age. With this development man was able to have efficient utilization of his environment. The use of iron implements is the most significant innovation from technological point of view in the development of mankind. Iron was employed to produced war equipment as well as agricultural tools. In Nigeria, the earliest evidence of iron discovery came from the site of Taruga which was dated to about 4th century B.C (Fagg;1968:28). This is one of the important sites that are affiliated to the Nok Culture found in Jos Plateu, Nigeria. In the case of Sokoto area, the evidence of early iron activities came from the site near Yelwa in present day Yawuri Emirate. The site was dated to the middle of the first millennium A.D. (Priddy; 1970). Despite the fact that the site is not as old as Taruga, however, the features have been identified to be similar in those of other Nok culture sites (Priddy; 1970)
The evidence therefore suggests that societies in Sokoto region could have begun to manufacture iron implements and weapons as far back as 4th century B.C – a date suggested for Taruga. Apart from Yelwa, there are other sites scattered all over Sokoto State which include the site of Gongono in present day Tangaza Local Government Area, Dutsin Disa in Tureta, Tungar Madugu in Gwadabawa, Birnin Lalle in Gada and Gundungaand Kalalawa in Kware Local Government Area.

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