Cambridge-Africa At Kings Seminar

King's College is welcoming Dr Kingsley Daraojimba (Marie Sklodowska-Curie European Fellow, McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, Cambridge) for a talk on: Archaeology, Environment and Community Engagement in southeast Nigeria: Assessing Progress and Emerging Insights after five field seasons

Abstract:

Over five field seasons in southeast Nigeria, our research has integrated archaeological excavation, environmental analysis, and community engagement. The work sheds new light on settlement history, material culture, and human–environment interactions in early first- to mid-second-millennium AD Igbo societies, while community partnerships, training programmes, and heritage initiatives strengthen local participation. This talk highlights key findings, achievements, and future research directions.

Dr Kingsley Daraojimba’s Research:

Kingsley’s research area focuses on African archaeology and ethnohistory, with special focus on southern Nigeria. His research interest straddles the entire length and breadth of Environmental Archaeology, concentrating on archaeopalynology. Archaeopalynology is the study of pollen and other microfossils from archaeological sites to reconstruct past human environment, climate and plant use.  Kingsley uses palynology as a tool to understand human-environment interactions with the aim of examining natural and cultural phenomena, and processes driving landscape evolution. He also engages material culture to explore social life, technology, symbolism, and environmental interaction in early Igbo societies of southeast Nigeria.

Kingsley’s current research in southeast Nigeria is targeted at producing the first local environmental records in one of West Africa’s most significant archaeological landscapes at Igbo-Ukwu. This work will provide fresh insight into how deep, historic human-environment interactions have contributed to the development of early urban landscapes in West Africa.

The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception so there will be time for networking.

All welcome to attend.

Any enquiries about the Cambridge-Africa Programme can be directed to: enquiries@cambridge-africa.cam.ac.uk