Archaeology of Banda District (Ghana)
The Banda District in Ghana plays an important role in the understanding of trade networks and the way they shaped the lives of people living in Western Africa. The Banda District is located in West Central Ghana, just south of the Black Volta River in a savanna woodland environment.[1] This region has many connections to trans Saharan trade, as well as Atlantic trade and British colonial and economic interests.[2] The effects of these interactions can be seen archaeologically through the presence of exotic goods and export of local materials, production of pottery and metals, as well as changes in lifestyle and subsistence patterns.
Trans-Saharan Trade Period
The period of Trans-Saharan trade in the Banda District started around C.E. 1300 and lasted into the 17th century.[1] Many of the early villages in this area were heavily influenced by the trade networks connecting the Sahara. The Banda in particular had a relationship with the Nigerian trade network, where wooded savanna resources such as gold, kola nut, and ivory were traded for northern goods like copper alloys, salt, and textiles.[1]
European Interest
European interest in western African resources really took off during this period starting around C.E. 1400 through C.E. 1650. A major contributing factor to this sudden interest was due to the tales of Mansa Musa, the leader of Mali, and his travels to Mecca covered in gold.[1] The Portuguese had a particularly large presence along the Gold Coast at this point, setting up a fort at Elmina and rapidly exploring the surrounding area.[1]
Metal Working
This area of Africa is known for its large deposits of metal, particularly iron ore and gold. There is much evidence for metalworking activities in Banda through material goods such as vessels, tools, weapons, and ornaments, as well as the iron slag left behind as a result of the metalworking processes. There is also the presence of burned basin shaped features and anvils at varying levels, indicating multiple episodes of likely seasonal use of metalworking sites.[1]
Ritual Activity
Some metalworking sites, such as the one at Ngre Kataa, have evidence of some ritual behavior. At excavations of these mounds, three distinct levels have been identified. Lower levels of metalworking mounds often contain evidence of foundational ritual practices and human interments over top of which metalworking would have taken place.[1] These interments include a variety of age groups from infant through adulthood, as well as differences in how they were placed. On the middle levels of the mounds, there is evidence of shrine clusters that could have been used in divination activities. The shrines would have been visible within the work area, and may have been connected to efficiency, protection, and help in solving problems. One example of a shrine included an iron bangle, the earliest found in the Banda area, a quartz pebble, two iron blades, a bone fragment, and a cast brass twinned figurine.[1] The figurine is interesting because it is a form that has been found to be connected to divination and have magical properties. In another area, an earthenware jar was discovered containing cowrie shells from the coast of Seychelles. Not only does this demonstrate the trade connections of the time, but it also supports the idea that divination was utilized due to the mystic association of the cowrie shells.[1]
Subsistence and Lifestyle
During the period of Trans-Saharan trade, both evidence for wild and domestic subsistence are present. The presence of maize phytoliths imply experimentation with New World Crops, as well as pearl millet and sorghum.[1][2] There is also some evidence for the hunting of large and dangerous animals such as lions, hippos and warthogs.[2] Villages were set up so that houses were arranged into large connected compounds, with areas of high density in pottery and metal slag.[2]
Sites
Ngre Kataa
At the site of Ngre Kataa, evidence for village occupation can be found from the 14th through the 17th centuries. At this time the village was about two to three hectares in size, and has evidence of various craft activities, iron production, and farming of foods such as pearl millet and sorghum. Although there is evidence of these crops, hunting and gathering as well as livestock still remained as important aspects of their diet.[1]
Kuulo Kataa
At the site of Kuulo Kataa, there is evidence for both inter-regional and trans-Saharan trade of materials such as gold, marine shells, glass beads, and copper alloys.[2] This area was important in linking trade between the forest areas to the south and the drier areas to the north. Here is also where the compound arrangement of houses is found, as well as high densities of pottery and iron slag related to craft production.[2] In Kuulo Kataa, ceramic styling is very similar to that found at a site from the same time known as Begho, showing connections among local groups in the area.[3]
Atlantic Trade Period
Atlantic trade routes were more heavily used at the end of the 18th century, and led to a decline in the use of Trans-Saharan routes.[2] During this time, a stronger focus was placed on gold and minerals, and eventually slaves through the Atlantic slave trade.[2] This time is also associated with periods of warfare and conflict with a group known as the Asante, who had a large influence on day to day stability and productiveness of those living in the Banda District.[2]
Early Makala
The Early Makala Phase was characterized by lots of intermittent warfare, and the increase of slave trade activity in the area.[2] The Asante, a forest state to the south, had a significant impact on the Banda District during this time. The Asante came together in the 17th century and slowly began to take control of areas to the north throughout the 18th century.[2] This included the Banda District, where many sites such as Makala Kataa were abandoned during times of conflict with the Asante and then resettled once the trouble subsided.[2]
Late Makala
The Late Makala Period is when British soldiers started to make a presence in the Banda District. There is also evidence for a move from compound housing to free standing structures easy to disassemble and move, which is seen as a reflection of the British presence in the area. During this time, there was a shift to more local hunting and gathering as well as an increase in European goods.[2]
Slavery
During the height of the slave trade, the Banda District served as a source of slaves, as well as a place for the containment, holding and purchasing of war captives.[2]
British Influence
British involvement in the Banda District began in the late 19th century. They imposed a colonial administration in Banda, but remained fairly separate from the peoples everyday life. Their interest in Banda revolved mostly around economic goods and materials, as opposed to having an active presence in ruling the area.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Stahl, Ann (2015). "Metalworking and ritualization: negotiating change through improvisational practice in Banda, Ghana". Archaeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association. 26.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Stahl, Ann (2004). "Making history in Banda: reflections on the construction of Africa's past". Historical Archaeology. 38.
- ↑ Stahl; das Dores Cruz; Neff; Glascock; Speakman; Giles; Smith (2008). "Ceramic production consumption and exchange in Banda area, Ghana: Insights from compositional analyses". Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. 16.