Unj Goza Mound
Unj Goza · Ngala hinterland mound
Gajiganna to Kanem (1800 BCE–800 CE)·Gajiganna / Kanem-Bornu·🇳🇬 Borno State, Ngala-Gamboru, Nigeria
About
About Unj Goza Mound
Gajiganna-phase tell Unj Goza: 12 m high stratified mound (1800 BCE–800 CE) with 5 m cultural deposit, Gajiganna pottery, iron furnaces and bead workshop. Lake Chad transgression layers interdigitated.
Why it mattersReference section for Lake Chad Holocene sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Bead production source (trade vs local)
- 02Lake level fluctuations dating
Theories
- 01Lake Chad as Nok trade corridor (Breunig)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Settlement 1800 BCE; tell buildup to 800 CE
- Period
- Gajiganna to Kanem (1800 BCE–800 CE)
- Culture
- Gajiganna / Kanem-Bornu
- Purpose
- Lakeshore fishing-farming village with iron and beads
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1800 BCE
Gajiganna pit settlement
500 BCE
Tell mound growth 5 m
500 CE
Iron furnaces peak
800 CE
Abandonment after lake regression
On the ground
Structures & features
12.3300° N · 14.1800° E · 320 m · 2 mapped features
Unj Goza Summit Trench
trench5 m stratigraphic trench with pottery seriation
12.3310° N · 14.1810° EUnj Goza Furnace Terrace
furnaceTerrace with 4 bowl furnaces 1.2 m diam
12.3290° N · 14.1790° E