ABSTRACT
This work entails an archaeological study of five hill settlements
occupied by the Mernyang ethnic group in the southern part of the Jos
Plateau. The research area was chosen because the Jos Plateau region
especially its northern part, presents evidence for a very long period
of human antiquity, however for the Qua‟anpan area in the south which
had attracted the attention of anthropologists, not much archaeological
research has been conducted. Therefore, the researcher saw the need to
conduct an archaeological study of this area in order to provide a
comprehensive picture of the history of the people of the Jos Plateau
and to provide a reference material for subsequent cultural researches.

This research was carried out with the aim of understanding the cultural
characteristics of the past inhabitants of the area. This was achieved
by the review of literatures on the Jos Plateau and the site in
particular, collection of oral histories, study of material cultures,
archaeological survey and mapping of abandoned areas using the GIS of
Kofyar, Lardang, Bong, Zuwakal and Mer hill settlements. The use of
contextual archaeology was employed during the survey, collection of
data and analysis of materials, while human adaptation theory of
cultural ecology was applied in the interpretation of data.

Material evidence of past human activities revealed during the survey of
five Mernyang hill settlements include house foundations, graves, farm
terraces, ritual areas, lower grinding stones and hollowed rocks;
monolith, partially buried pots and whetstones. Analysis of data reveal
similarities in pattern of compounds, types of pottery based on form and
decorative motifs, terrace farming and ritual system in all the five
sites which suggest that the past occupants of the area may have
belonged to the same cultural group.

Through this research, the distribution of past human activities on the
landscape which was determined by land, labour, water and security were
revealed. Other adaptive strategies such as the intensive agricultural
system of the Mernyang people using terraces and crop rotation and the
practice of African traditional religion were revealed.