Conclusion
p. 32-33
Texte intégral
1This monograph looks at the evolution of potsherd pavements in southwestern Nigeria. Previous work on this subject has been largely descriptive and confined to pavements in Ile-Ife (Willett 1967), covering an area of about 12 square kilometers, which have been dated to the 14th century A. D. (Garlake 1974, 1977; and Agbaje-Williams 1991). It was thought that these pavements were unique to Ife, like the bronzes and the terracottas, until other sites with the same features were discovered in central Yorubaland.
2None of the new sites rival Ife in the range of types of pavement found or in the wide distribution; but with the discovery of the Itagunmodi pavement, it is obvious that many more are waiting to be discovered. From the technology of pavement making and the distribution of the pavements, the phenomenon has political and social implications more significant than the art works currently assumed to be the hallmark of Yoruba civilization. The distribution of this feature, taken with the dates obtained from Ife and Itagunmodi, tend to be in agreement with the latest work in the field (Akinjogbin 1994); because some of the early settlements of the Obatala period may correspond to discovered areas of potsherd pavement in time and space. Simply put, pavements of this sort are labour intensive, implying a well-organized community, social discipline and social authority, backed up by force.
3A pavement has to be a group effort; it is not the work of an individual talent. One can state that where potsherd pavements are found, they represent the type of investment of human time and labour typical of a civilized urban centre. The Ife oral tradition about the fastidious female Ooni, Luwo, claimed to have introduced potsherd pavement, confirms this.
4Lastly, Eyo’s classification of Ife culture history (1974) should be taken seriously, because it recognizes the place of potsherd pavements in the evolution of Ife, and is applicable to other areas.
5It is hoped that after a more extensive and thorough foot survey of some of these areas, more revealing discoveries may be made.
Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence Licence OpenEdition Books. Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont « Tous droits réservés », sauf mention contraire.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: English, French, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba
Foreword by Wole Soyinka
1993
Creative writing, writers and publishing in Northern Nigeria
Abba Aliyu Sani, Jibrin Ibrahim et Emmanuel Babatunde Omobowale
1997
Archaeological investigation of Itagunmodi potsherd pavement site, Ijesaland, Osun State, Nigeria
1991-1992 season
Babatunde Agbaje-Williams
1995
Guerre et société au royaume de Fetu
Des débuts du commerce atlantique à la constitution de la fédération fanti (Ghana, Côte de l’or, 1471-1720)
Yann Deffontaine
1993