An Archaeology of Obosomase, Eastern Region, Ghana.

ABSTRACT

The Akwapem area has been the focus of several historical and archaeological investigations in the past but there has been no archaeological excavation at Obosomase to date, thus the cultural history of the town from an archeological perspective is unknown. The underlying theme that guided the conduct of this study was to reconstruct the lifeways of the past inhabitants of Obosomase using predominantly archaeologically sourced data. It was also to ascertain the existence or absence of continuity in the archeological record on the one hand and between the past and present-day inhabitants of Obosomase on the other. Datable archaeological materials clearly indicate that the excavated area of the site was occupied shortly after 1750 and continued to be occupied until the 20th century. A nexus was established amongst archeological data, oral accounts and ethnography in order to provide a comprehensive account of the lifeways of the past inhabitants of Obosomase. Material culture studies served as the theory guiding the interpretation of finds.

The study of material culture from Obosomase has revealed that the community was not just a spiritual centre of the Akwapim state, a hub for fetish activity or a refuge for runaway slaves, but rather a multi-purpose settlement site. The research highlights the subsistence, religious and burial practices of the inhabitants and provides information on trade with external groups. The people of Obosomase sourced their foods from terrestrial, marine and fresh water sources; made a conscious effort to cure ailments in their homes; had trade links with the Krobo/ Shai area as well as with Europeans on the coast. A high degree of continuity was detected in the archeological record as evidenced by the fact that the popular vessel forms and the popular decorations were found in all the cultural layers of the excavated trench and test pit. Argument is made in this study for continuity between the iii archaeological record and the ethnographic present as evidenced by the continuous consumption of alcoholic beverages, and perpetuation of traditional medicinal and burial practices. Some level of discontinuity was observed in the use of clay pots as storage pots and as cooking vessels.