An Archaeo-Metallurgical Investigation of Iron Smelting Residues at Zangon-Tama Site, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary report of an archaeo-metallurgical investigation of iron smelting residues at the Zangon Tama site in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria, as part of a (Ph.D.) thesis research. Zangon Tama was one of the iron smelting sites within the Sokoto region. Archaeological surveys and excavation were used in gathering the datasets. This paper is limited to the survey as we await the excavation results and the smelting residues' analyses. The paper highlighted the surface configuration of the site consisting of iron slag, fragments of tuyeres, and remains of furnaces. The investigation revealed the extent of the site. It provided the archaeological data to be used for the archaeo-metallurgical analyses that will shed more light on the technical aspect of the smelting that took place on the site. The result of the investigation revealed high number of iron smelting evidence at the Zangon Tama site that includes iron slag, tuyere fragment and furnace remain.