1  Cross River monoliths: destruction, theft and international sales

Text and photographs (2015) by Dr. Ivor Miller and Dr. Abu Edet, Department of History and International Studies,

University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria email: imiller@hampshire.edu; abu_edet@yahoo.com

Ntetakor monolith site: left, monolith in 1961 as documented by Allison (1968); right,

reconstruction of the upper and lower segments of the fragmented monolith documented by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-

art/1995.64.18), and by Miller & Edet (2015, Nigeria).1

Problem: After Allison’s pioneering documentation of the carved monoliths of the middle Cross River region of Nigeria in the 1960s, selected monolith sites were declared as National Monuments under the Nigerian Department of Antiquities. Since then, there has never been a comprehensive survey conducted to establish the locations, numbers and conditions of the monoliths. Our recent expeditions to inspect the monolith sites has revealed general destruction through fire, intentional destruction, and theft. In the triad of photographs above,

  2  we compare the whole monolith taken by Allison (1968), with its two present-day fragments: the upper section from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City), with the lower section, destroyed by fire, in its natural site in Nigeria, as we documented it in Janaury, 2015. Our inspection of the monoliths sites reveals a triple threat to these yet-to-be-recognized World Heritage Sites: destruction of the stones by repeated fire, the use of the stones to crack palm kernel nuts, and the theft of their top sections for sale on the international art market. March 23-25: With the generous guidance and support of the local community, including the Clan head of Nde and his people, we inspected several monolith sites in Nta, Nselle, and Nde areas of Ikom L.G.A. While some carved monoliths remain in their original locations, the majority of monoliths were broken at the base with their tops missing, suggesting fire damage and theft for commercial sale. We appeal to the international communities of African art specialists to assist in identifying the top sections of these monoliths whereever they may be.

Two carved monoliths in Ekpatana, intentionally broken and their carved tops missing.

In Egon Ekpatana, called “Ekpatana Farm Camp-Nselle” in Allison (1968: 43), we observed more than 50 monoliths in a huge circle. Allison surveyed but did not photograph this site; therefore until our recent expedition, there has been no record of these carved stones. Although some remain, most were broken and missing.

  3  

Two carved monoliths in Ekpatana, intentionally broken and their tops missing.

Two carved monoliths in Ekpatana, intentionally broken and their tops missing. At right, the stone was broken twice: first to remove the top, then to remove the front of the carved middle section. At left, the smooth top surface indicates long term breakage and its use in cracking palm kernel nuts or marchete

sharpening.

  4  

Two carved monoliths in Ekpatana, intentionally broken and their tops missing.

Two carved monoliths in Etinta-Nta, intentionally broken and their tops missing. Note the freshly cut

stones at left indicating recent breackage, while on the right the smooth surface indicatings its being cut long ago, then used for breaking nuts or sharpening machetes.

  5  

The Nde Clan head (Engr. Nton Bassey Nsan), with red cap, led us to the Ekpatana site with members of the community. Following our discussions and interviews with Bakor community

leaders, there is renewed interest in community participation in preserving the monoliths in their original sites.

                                                                                                               1 For help with research, we thank Chief Peter F. Appio, Calabar; Mr. Peter Ajuk, Nde, Ikom L.G.A; and Dr. Victor Manfredi, African Studies Center, Boston University.