Archaeology and Culture History in the Central Niger Delta

This book is a new contribution to existing archaeological research relevant to the cultural and anthropological history of Central Ijland, situated in the Central Niger Delta. It draws primarily on oral traditions, local and internal histories in the reconstruction of the past. By tracing patterns of migration and dispersals within and from the region and examining material cultural items, the author attempts to reconstruct phases, settlements and ways of life. The work considers both the saltwater mangrove swamps sub-zone in the eastern region, and the freshwater swamp and forest sub-zone of the central Delta region. It sets out a reliable chronology of this sub-region. Finally, it highlights the cultural relationships and differences between the Ij and other communities of the Eastern Delta. The author is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.