10661039
Museum/Typology Assignment
Archaeology 323: Methods and Theories
AccraPlainsArchaeologicalResearch
The Accra plains research was undertaken to rescue the artifacts from Ladoku which were
likely to be destroyed because of the construction of the Accra Aflao road in 2000, also to
look into the archaeology of the 1826 Battle of Katamansu and the story across the centuries.
The artifacts excavated included potsherds, grinding stones, European glazed pottery,
smoking pipe fragments, glass beads, brass objects, bottles, bones and shells. The artifacts on
display at the museum have first been grouped based on the location at which they were
found. The artifacts were grouped again based on some factors. For instance, artifacts were
classified based on the materials used for production. They had artifacts made from stone
materials such as the polished stone axe (nyame akuma), round perforated stone beads and
stoneware. They also have ceramic artifacts such as potsherds and European glaze pottery.
They also had metal artifacts such as padlocks, hand axe and bracelets. The artifacts were
also classified based on their uses for instance the bottles were used for alcohol and medicinal
purposes. Their ceramic and polished stone axe were used by the first farmers and builders of
the Accra Plains. Some metal artifacts such as the padlocks and the bracelets were used in the
1826 battle.
Human Evolution
The Human Evolution classification in the museum shows the evolution of man from his
apelike structure to his humanlike structure as well as the evolution of his tools. These
artifacts are grouped to show the chronological order of evolution. The artifacts are groups
based on their year of existence to show the oldest from the youngest. For instance, the Homo
Floresiensis is dated 18,000 B.P. and Homo Heidelbergensis is dated 1.8 m.y.a. this clearly
shows that the H. Floresiensis was in existence before the H. heidelbergensis and this also
means that H. Floresiensis evolved into H. Heidelbergensis. They were also classified based
on their location of finding. Due to this classification we know that Australopithecus species
were found in Sterkfontein, South Africa and the Homo Habilis was found in Olduvai Gorge,
Kenya.
Pottery in Ghana; Functions of Pots
The pots on display at the museum capture the many different production processes and
decorative techniques employed by potters throughout the northern region of Ghana. The pots
in this case have been grouped according to their uses. They had pots used for storage like the
water and pito vessels, they also had drinking pots, pots used for eating (bowls) for instance
the soup eating bowl and pots for decorative purposes. The pots have also been classified
based on their style and size and these directly point out the functions. Taking the storage
pots for instance, they are either tall or very round with an opening. Their water coolers had
two sprouts to ensure effective water storage and cooling. The pots used for eating are made
in a bowl form and sometimes they come with a lid.
Forts and Castles
The artifacts on display at the museum under this classification are but a few artifacts
excavated from some forts and castles located in Ghana. The artifacts have been grouped on
the basis of their location of excavation. Artifacts excavated from Fort Amsterdam have been
grouped and artifacts from the Ussher Fort have also been grouped. These artifacts have also
been grouped according to their place of origin. You can see Dutch bricks, British bricks,
Dutch smoking pipes, British smoking pipes, German Westerwald Pottery. Artifacts
excavated from these forts were made from ceramic, glass, beads, clay. Also imported They
were also grouped according to their material of production. goods such as the smoking pipes
excavated at Fort Amsterdam were grouped.