A preliminary Archaeological Investigation of Rikochi AbandonedSettlement, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to report the archaeological investigation carried out on
Rikochi abandoned settlement. Rikochi is one of the earliest walled Hausa
settlements of the Zaria people. The goal of this paper is to understand an aspect
of the culture history of the people that settled, used and abandoned the site. The
ground/surface survey method which involves traversing the site on foot with the
eyes focused on the ground to identify evidence of human occupation was
adopted; the finds identified on the site were studied, measurements were taken
and some collected for further studies while the features were identified measured
and studied insitu. The finds identified include: potsherds, grinding stones {both
upper and lower} and hammer stones. The features are: defensive wall, streams
and lateritic outcrops. The paper in the end classified the site as a habitation site
due to the cultural remains identified on the site. This research has revealed that
the past inhabitants had relationship with the neighbouring communities in the
form of trade, exchange of goods and intermarriages; this was gathered from the
oral tradition collected and the presence of pottery remains which were never
made in the settlement. They past inhabitants like their present descendants were
able to understand and utilize their environment to sustain themselves,
particularly in the area of agriculture.