AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF UMHAH-ABISI HILL-TOP SETTLEMENT SITE, LERE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE

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Author

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Department of Arts

ABSTRACT
The focus of this research is to conduct an archaeological survey of Umhah-abisi hill-top settlement site located in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna state, Nigeria. The aim is to reconstruct the history of the Abisi people using the archaeological materials on the site. This was achieved with the following objectives which include; to study and document archaeological evidence found on the site through archaeological survey, to collect and document the oral tradition about the Abisi people, to produce an archaeological map for the site which will show the spatial distribution of finds and features, that can serve as a reference point for further research works. The methods that were adopted during the research includes the use of written records which were very helpful because they helped in our knowledge about the history of the people, the use of oral tradition which strongly suggest that Umhah-abisi was the earliest settlement of the Abisi people, it was also used to understand the meaning and functions of finds and features found on the site. Archaeological survey helped in the identification and documentation of finds and features, and finally classification and analysis of finds and features were employed in the research. The research revealed finds and features on the site which includes; potsherds, lower grinding stone, house foundations, monoliths, graves, sacred stones, water grove, shrine and buried pots which were the cultural materials used by the Abisi people on settlement. The study conducted on Umhah-abisi hill-top settlement site, shows that the hill-top served as security for the Abisi people. The study has provided useful information and also further research is needed in explaining the historical knowledge about the Abisi people.