Archaeological investigation in Opi

Iron smelting is one of the indigenous technologies developed by the people of eastern Nigeria. Smelting is carried out in a chamber-like structure called furnace. Hematite (stone-like usually in red, black or brown in colour, rich in iron oxide) is heated to over thousands of centigrade to melt. When it melts inside the furnace, the out-put is usually slag and iron.

Iron is used to produce agricultural implements like hoes (Ogu), matchets (Nma), sickle (Nko); chieftaincy paraphernalia like, staff of office (Oji).

Slag (see picture with ranging pole) which is the waste product is the focus of this essay. Slag traditionally known as (Efuru or Ehuru) is usually blackish in colour, and heavier than ordinary stones. When hit with a sharp object, metal or placed near fire gives out a spark of light. When broken into pieces shows ash-to-crystalline colour, while some are blackish all through. It appears in various sizes, cylindrical and aggregate slag. The largest can only be lifted with the effort of 3-4 able-bodied men.

Presently, slags are used for the following purposes: a tripod stand for cooking, as chair, especially in Otobo (village square), pellets, road demarcation, erosion control, and foundation booster at the base of buildings, shrine indicator, etc.

Archaeologically, slag is a pointer to an iron smelting community.  It shows that a particular have knowledge of iron workings although not in all cases. For instance, a study carried out our crew in Egede and Affa both in Enugu State shows that the present occupants of both town has no knowledge of what slag is, while in early 2017, oral tradition from Opi has it that slag grew from the ground. This shows that the knowledge of iron smelting that produce slag is not known to present societies where they are seen or the people with the knowledge of what slag is are no longer alive. While some archaeologists will infer that the present occupants where these slags occur are main people that carried out iron smelting in these communities.

Slags have been recorded in the following towns: Lejja, Opi, Umundu, Ekwegbe, Onyohor, Aku, Orba, Umundu, Owerre-Elu, Obimo etc. Presently, slag mounds have been found in some Igbo-Benue communities.

Odinaso Opi seems to be an iron smelting site. A reconnaissance in Opi showed slag mound in Opi. There was over eight suspected furnace base (highly altered)  in Odinaso. One of the plates shows the author of Ottourism cleaning the base of the suspected furnace.

Slag is found in large quantity in Opi. Opi is made up of three main quarters which include Ibeku, Idi and Ogbozalla. Among all the three distinct cultural zones in Opi, Idi is the eldest in Opi. Opi is located in the South eastern part of Nigeria under Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State. Opi is about 10-15 minutes’ drive from Nsukka town. It shares boundary with Ede-Oballa and Ohodo to the West, Eha-Alumona and some part of Ede-Oballa to the North, Ekwegbe to the south and Ugwuogo Nike in Enugu to the East.

Action

v A full ethnoarchaeological investigation is imperative in Opi.

v Mapping of Odinaso for protection and subsequent archaeological, historical and anthropological studies is recommended.

v A worthy tourist site to be gazzetted.

Mapping in Odinaso Opi with PG students of Archaeology and Tourism department, UNN. 

Clearing of the surface of the suspected furnace base in Odinaso by Dr. C. J. Odum with the inspection of Professor A.M. Ibeanu.