AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF ZANGANG HILLTOP SETTLEMENT SITES IN KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF ZANGANG HILLTOP SETTLEMENT SITES IN KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA.
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Date
2015-09
Authors
SANKYAI, Obadiah
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Abstract
This research is an archaeological investigation of Zangang hilltop settlement sites in Kaura
Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The settlement sites were occupied by the Attakar
people who speak the Attakar language and display uniformity of cultural traits. The hills in the
area provided security to the former inhabitants of the Area during the slave-raiding expeditions.
The various versions of the origin and historical migration of the Attakar people to their present
Area of settlement were discussed using oral tradition and written sources. Zangang tradition of
origin has been linked to the hilltop settlements because the earliest settlements in Attakarare
traceable to the hilltop. Also, the settlement sites in Zangang were occupied according to clans,
although some clans in Zangang do not have any relationship with the hilltop settlements. This
further suggests that Zangang could be a settlement of mixed origin as stated by Brandt that
Attakar appears to be a tribe of mixed origin (Brandt, 1930).
Using the archaeological reconnaissance and survey method, the research yields two hundred
and sixty one (261) finds and features which include: Grinding stones, House Foundations, Stone
tools, Granary Foundations, Monoliths, Caves/Rockshelters, Hunting Pits, Potsherds, Shrines
e.t.c. Interpretation of these finds and features shows that the people were hunters and
agriculturalist who also had the knowledge of pottery making. They also practiced magic and
believed in supernatural powers such as the Supreme Being (Gwazi), the Spirits, Souls of the
Ancestors, Totemism, Reincarnation, Withcraft, Destiny and Morals. All these helped in
understanding the social organization and social structuring of the entire Attakar society.
Description
A THESIS SUMMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO
UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS OF ARTS DEGREE IN
ARCHAEOLOGY.
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, FACULTY OF ARTS
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA, NIGERIA.
Keywords
ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION,, ZANGANG HILLTOP SETTLEMENT SITES,, KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA