Level: 100

Course Title: Early Nigerian History

Course Code: HIST 103

Assignment Question: "Written sources and Archaeology are superior to other sources

in the study of Early Nigerian History." Discuss.

Date: February, 2023

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL LAW

FACULTY OF LAW

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA

• GROUP MEMBERS (GROUP 10)

S/N NAME REG. NO

1 TAHIR, khadijah U21CL1086
2 SHETIMA,fatima muhammad U21CL1087
3 AKOH ezra ojochegbe U21CL1088
4 ANAJA, nora U21CL1089
5 AZEEZ, saheed kayode U21CL1090
6 IBRAHIM, ismail U21CL1091
7 IBRAHIM, umar musa U21CL1092
8 ABDULLAHI, khadija. U21CL1093
9 ABDULKADIR, hakeemah U21CL1094
10 ZAKARI, halima fedoje U21CL1095

Lecturer: Dr. Salihu Zubairu Mustapha

ABSTRACT

This essay provides an in-depth analysis on the superiority of written sources and archaeology to other sources in the

study of Early Nigerian History and History in general.

This work is significant and super amazing in the sense that it provides a detail analysis on how Written Sources and

Archaeology work and most importantly, it explicitly shows the divergences between written sources and

archaeology and other inferior sources in the study of History itself.

INTRODUCTION

Written Sources of history as its name implies are the sources of history available in the textual form or in written

form which can be easily referenced or referred to. Examples of written sources include Newspapers, Periodicals,

Encyclopedias, Correspondence, Diaries, Government Gazettes, and Documents in the Archives, Postage stamps and

Reference books.

In the same vein, Archaeology is as important as written source in the study of History in general not to talk of the

study of Early Nigerian History. Archaeological sources are the direct pieces of evidence used in the study of the

past and they cannot be changed or altered by human beings.

The archaeological field involves the study of excavated objects from particular areas to be able to have an insight

into how that particular society may have lived in the past. With the study of the objects excavated from the area, the

historian is able to reconstruct the past of that community.

Written and archeological sources are considered to be superior in the study of early Nigerian history for several

reasons.

Firstly, written sources such as historical texts, chronicles, and oral traditions provide valuable information about the

political, social, and economic systems of early Nigerian societies. For example, the Nok civilization, which existed
in Nigeria between 500 BCE and 200 CE, left behind many terracotta sculptures that provide insight into their

religious beliefs, while the Ife and Benin kingdoms had rich oral traditions and historical texts that provide detailed

accounts of their political and social systems.

Written sources are important and valuable information of historical research as they provide detailed account of

events, people and place from the past. Written sources include Contemporary letters, official records, political

declarations, administrative texts, and eyewitness.

Accounts, history, and many biographies which were written in the ancient medieval and Modern times. Moreover,

many historians use these written documents to find out about past Events. Historians can also find past events from

biographies. Historical documents or Primary source can be mentioned as an example of a written source of history.

Moreover, Newspapers, financial papers, official reports, and old family papers are also examples of written source.

Even a map, a diary, and an inventory are also examples of written sources.

Written sources are easier to use for the reconstruction of African history. This is because books or documents can

often be carried from one place to another Incase the writer wants to use it.

This cannot be done with oral sources. Written records include published and unpublished Works. Published work or

secondary work include document that has been edited and produced for the public. This includes newspapers,

magazine, journals etc. While unpublished or primary Source include document that are private and written by hand

such as diaries, letters etc.

IMPORTANCE OR ADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN SOURCES OF AFRICAN HISTORY

i. Easy To Use

It is easier to use written sources in the reconstruction of African history. This is because books or documents can

often be carried from one place to another where the reader or the writer wants to use it. This cannot be done in the

non-documentary sources.

ii. Accurate and Reliable Facts

Written records of contemporary issues give first-hand information which is naturally more accurate and reliable.

This is because dates and events are chronologically well recorded. For example minutes of meetings give exact and

accurate date, and the time the meeting was held. Similarly, records written in diaries are recorded on the spot as

events occur or soon after. This helped historians to know the exact dates for instance the Asante fought with the

British because the wars were documented. Written sources help reduce any tendency of the historian to use

guesswork in his work.

iii. Effective Means of Keeping Records

Keeping accurate records of events is very difficult especially where written sources are lacking and people rely

solely on oral tradition. One can say therefore that written sources are more effective means or method of keeping

records of past events.

iv. Promotion of Research

Written sources of African history promote research work. For instance, when readers feel that there is a deficiency

in a written account, they are encouraged to dig further in order to contribute to greater and more accurate

knowledge about the issue.

At this juncture, it is very important to note that most of the written works of Chinua Achebe, a

Nigerian Novelist, Poet, and Critic who is regarded as the dominant figure of modern African literature serve

as reflection of historical movements in Nigeria.

• CHINUA ACHEBE

Today, there is hardly any novel written in the Africa and most especially in Nigeria that does not discuss the contact

between Africa and colonialism which has provoked a kind of interest to the extent of dominating the thematic
trends of African scholars. African literature has been at the forefront of this engagement and intervention (and they

are under the form of written sources). It is with this background that this paper looks at the Nigerian state from its

early beginnings to the present state of chaos, anarchy and great backwardness and concludes that Chinua Achebe

has aptly used his novels to reflect these historical movements. It has been time without number shows clearly that

imperialism is the basis of the crises and contradictions that have befallen the Nigerian state using the novels of

Chinua Achebe. Almost all his novels capture a series of critical periods in Nigerian history since the advent of

colonialism to the current period of great imbalances in Nigeria’s political, social and economic system. This paper

contends that writers like Chinua Achebe are simply using their fiction to document the historical stages of Nigerian

state. It is clear that in details, his novels such as;

1. Things fall apart

2. Arrow of God

3. a man of the people etc,

Have all reflected and predicted the contradictions that have become the hallmark and identity of Nigerian state.

Archaeology forms a major source of historical research in the reconstruction and interpretation of past events and

forms part of primary sources of data. Archaeology is the study of material remains of peoples themselves, dwellings

i.e, caves, Fortification used for protection etc. In a broader sense, archaeology is the scientific study of the remnants

of the past, such as: ancient site, relics, monuments, coins, inscriptions and other artifacts which help in

reconstructing history in a most plausible manner".

The archaeological field involves the study of excavated objects from particular areas to be able to have an insight

into how that particular society may have lived in the past. With the study of the objects excavated from the area, the

historian is able to reconstruct the past of that community.

Archaeology helps with the research into the pre-historic studies. The aim of this Archaeology is to reconstruct

behavioral pattern and the material culture of the populations whose remains they were excavating. The main

contribution of archaeology to historical study or writing is that it has assisted historians in tracing the origin and
developmental stages of man especially in distinguishing man from other primates such as: Gorilla, Orang-utan etc.

From the discoveries, remains of Dryopithecus to Ramapithecus to Australopithecus robustus and Africanus found

in Olduvai Gorge, Laetooli, Koobiforaetc, who were makers of the OLDOWAN stone) to Homo-Erectus until the

discovery of modern man.

Archaeological sources are the pieces of evidence and information that depict us about the ancient history for which

there is no written record or document available. They provide us with useful information about our forefathers and

their style of living. All this past information was studied by a person who is known as an archaeologist.

The various archaeological sources include wall paintings, pieces of broken pot, old coins, buildings, writings, clay,

metal, and many more. But apart from all these sources, the two main sources are:

MONUMENTS

• THE ANCIENT KANO CITY WALLS

One of the oldest monuments in Nigeria, the Kano city wall is located in the commercial heartbeat of Northern

Nigeria, Kano. The impressive work built in the 11th century is 11 or 12 miles in length, 40 feet thick at the base and

varying from 30 to 50 feet in height. The amazing structure was built during the reign of King Kijimazu from 1095

to 1135 AD. They were built to prevent enemies and the armies of empires that were in search of vassal states to

expand and increase their royalties, from penetrating Kano.

• ÀRÓMETA (THE THREE WISE MEN)

The sculpture was created by Olugodun Shodeinde in 1991 and it was commissioned by government of Raji Rasaki.

The statutes that represent Idejo chiefs traditional greeting mode are about 12 feet tall.

Inscriptions:

These are the written records engraved on rocks, cave walls, metal pillars, walls of temples and palaces, and on clay

and copper tablets. In Early times, kings got the important events in their reign and their achievements were

inscribed on the walls so that people could read them. These Inscriptions provide us with the most valid proof of

ancient times. There are a lot of examples from history about which we came to know from the inscriptions. Some of

which are Ashoka-The Great, Mughals, Indus Valley Civilization, and many more.

Central Bank of Nigeria;

History of the currency.

Archaeological sources are the direct pieces of evidence and they cannot be changed or altered by human beings.

Temples are the most important part of monuments which tell us clearly about the mindset of ancient peoples. Also,

the first Inscription that was ever founded was of Indus Valley Civilization.

The role of archaeology here becomes crucial. Archaeology can contribute immensely by revealing cultural ways

and artifacts that can help in identification of historical incorrect views and understandings.

Archaeology therefore becomes necessary to forge points of unity and points of diversity in varied cultures and

civilizations. It helps in discovering not only the ‘other’ but also rediscovering our own selves. Losing an

archaeological site or artifact is therefore akin to losing stories that cannot be retold. If the past needs to be preserved

archaeology needs to be treated as a valuable discipline bringing to the fore buried pasts and misconstrued stories.
 Archaeology has helped historians to write history of pre historic times. Since writing began late in most parts of the

continent, archaeology has become the main source of information for the reconstruction of African history of the

distant past.

Archaeology has two of the greatest advantages .It has the unique capability of stretching back to the remote eras of

human existence and drawing the hither to unknown out of the darkness of time. Archaeology deals in tangible relics

and therefore it can claim credibility that no other human science can.

Written and archaeological sources are superior to other sources in the study of Early Nigerian history as:

• It is used as a confirmation tool: it helps to confirm the things have been said about the history of the people in

earlier times.

• It confirms the pre-existence of Africa: Written and Archaeological sources are also superior to other sources in the

study of African history because it helps to confirm that the African had a history before the first contact with

Europe. Archaeologists have been able to prove that the Early Stone Age has links with the African continent.

• Useful in the absence of other proofs: In the absence of any other evidence for the reconstruction of African history,

Written and archaeological sources becomes useful as a tool to write the history of Africa. In that sense, it is

important to the study of African history.

• Helps to discover ancient African civilizations: It is important to note that written and archaeological sources have

over the years, been used to prove that man originated from Africa. Archaeologists have been able to show evidence

that the oldest man on planet earth is traceable to the African continent. For this reason, the use of archaeology and

written sources in the study of African history is very crucial and superior to other sources

• Exposed the rich culture of Africa: It is a fact that much of the information available about the rich culture of Africa

emanated from the evidenced pieced together by the work of archaeologists and historical writers. Some of the rich

cultural practices of the continent of Africa can now be traced to the rich culture of past African communities.

• Adaptable to changes in lifestyles and environment: Written and Archaeological sources are superior to other

sources because it showed how the African has adapted to his or her environment over the millennia. In other words,
 the various changes in life, climate and other conditions documented and how the African has adapted to those

changes over the years.

CONCLUSION

Written and archeological sources can be cross-referenced to help verify their accuracy and provide a more complete

picture of early Nigerian history. For example, the oral tradition of the Kingdom of Benin which tells of the origin of

the Oba (King) of Benin can be cross-referenced with archeological evidence of the presence of a powerful ruler

during the same time period. Written and archeological sources are considered to be the most reliable and

informative sources for the study of early Nigerian history because they provide a wealth of information about the

political, social, and economic systems of early Nigerian societies, as well as their material culture and technology.

REFERENCES

• Written sources of history - https://jibhai.com/en/written-sources-of-history/

• https://www.vedantu.com/question-answer/name-any-two-archaeological-sources-of-history-a-class-6-social-

science-cbse-5fe2cc0ec82b035f2139aa0b

• https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/importance-of-archaeology-1286613270-1

• "The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-speaking Peoples of South-Western Nigeria" by Philip A. Igbafe

• "The Kingdom of Ife: History, Art, and Culture" by Rowland Abiodun

• "The Nok Culture of Nigeria" by Thurstan Shaw

• Stahl, Ann B. “The Archaeology of African History.” The International Journal of African Historical Studies 42, no.

2 (2009): 241-55.