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Traditional rites and their celestial alignments in parts of south-eastern Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 July 2011

J. O. Urama ,
P. I. Eze-Uzomaka ,
C. C. Opata ,
F. A. Chami  and
J. K. Obatala
J. O. Urama
Affiliation:
Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria email: johnson@hartrao.ac.za
P. I. Eze-Uzomaka
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology & Tourism, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria email: drpamela26@yahoo.com
C. C. Opata
Affiliation:
Dept. of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria email: ccopata@yahoo.com
F. A. Chami
Affiliation:
History/Archaeology Department, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania email: fchami@udsm.ac.tz
J. K. Obatala
Affiliation:
Astronomy Columnist, The Guardian (Nigeria) and Consulting Editor, The Niger Delta Standard (Nigeria) email: kingceiphus@gmail.com
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Abstract

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Preliminary investigations at two archaeological sites in south-eastern Nigeria are presented. These sites are the ancient stone circle in Ikom and the crescent shape of an ancient iron slag heap at Lejja, Nsukka. Here, we discuss the celestial alignments of these objects, and other traditional rites in this part of Nigeria, that seem to suggest some possible astronomical connections.

Keywords

sociology of astronomyprehistory: Africastone circles: Nigeria

References

Chami, F., Eze-Uzomaka, P. I., Mangut, J., & Bakinde, C. 2011, Studies in the African Past 9, 63.Google Scholar
Eze-Uzomaka, P. I. 2009, Studies in the African Past 7, 41.Google Scholar
Eze-Uzomaka, P. I. 2010, Studies in the African Past 8, 178.Google Scholar