Archaeological Indications of Past Lifeways on the Krobo Mountain, Ghana

Abstract

Data from a recent archaeological survey and excavations conducted on the Krobo Mountain confirm claims that the settlement was the main religious and political centre for the Krobo people of south-eastern Ghana. Despite the physical separation of the settlement into Yilo and Manya sections, there is a remarkable similarity in the cultural landscape of the two groups. The ruins of shrines, houses, palaces, as well as the advanced nature of the set-tlement pattern suggest that the communities had attained a high level of socio-cultural and landscape development before their expulsion in 1892. The typical association of schnapps bottles, with palm-wine tap-ping/storage vessels, mumui indicates the twin utility of imported and local liquor during traditional rites and festivals in the past. The identification of iron anklets and bells, cowries, and glass beads in contexts similar to those found in communities in present-day Krobo suggests retention of some as-pects of ancient customs and religious rites