Research on bronze objects in eastern Nigeria reveals interesting findings. Afikpo oral traditions speak of a sacred dump of bronze, brass, and copper artifacts in the Ogwugwu Valley, but attempts to locate the site have been unsuccessful due to lack of local support. The artifacts are believed to have been left by the Ego, ancestors of the Ugwuagu and Amizu communities in Afikpo.
In Uzuakoli, Imo State, elders claim that the burial of a chief, Okorie Chukwu, contains numerous bronze and brass items. Mr. Akwani, a local informant, also highlighted the existence of royal tombs in Uzuakoli that could hold valuable archaeological data. However, political tensions during initial investigations prevented further exploration. Despite this, several garbage dumps and mounds in Uzuakoli remain promising sites for future archaeological research.
The Meaning of Iron in Igbo Culture and Its Importance in Tradition
Reference
Chikwendu, V. E. (1984). More bronzes from eastern Nigeria. Anthropos, 79(1/3), 260–261.
