Programme 2013-14 – Medieval Section of the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society

Medieval Figurines from Koma Land, Ghana, West Africa

Detail of horse or camel rider from Manchester Museum's Fragmentary Ancestors exhibition — Detail of horse or camel rider from Manchester Museum’s Fragmentary Ancestors exhibition

I hope members will forgive me if I momentarily step beyond our usual Yorkshire boundaries to encompass some African archaeological material of a date broadly comparable with the early to mid Medieval period in Britain. The material is so spectacular it seemed churlish not to share it with anyone with an interest in matters Medieval, however specialised.

With little more than a week to go before we open our new temporary exhibition, Fragmentary Ancestors Figurines from Koma Land Ghana, on 25th October there is a real sense of expectation and anticipation building at Manchester Museum.

Work on this project began about a year ago when it was decided to put on an exhibition featuring the results of archaeological fieldwork in Koma Land in Northern Ghana involving the University of Manchester, the University of Ghana and the Ghana Museums and Monument Board.

This exhibition is the first ever officially approved showing of the clay figurines, which were made by a previously little-understood people in Koma Land in Ghana in West Africa. The figurines are often fragmentary and depict stylised two-headed creatures, bird figures, and animals. They are believed to represent the ancestors. It is possible that some had liquid offerings or libations poured into channels in the figurines, and that some might have been linked with healing and medicine. Scanning is now being carried out to study these channels in detail and to try and identify any substances that survive in them.

Terracotta head of man wearing cap from Koma Land

The figurines were discovered during archaeological fieldwork directed by Professor Ben Kankpeyeng (University of Ghana) and has involved Professor Tim Insoll (University of Manchester) with the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB). The Koma figurines have been dated to between approximately 500 and 1300 AD. This corresponds broadly-speaking to the early to mid Medieval Period in Britain.

We don’t know a great deal about how the figurines were used but it would appear that they were used in special ceremonies and rituals in which the spritis of the ancestors were invoked. In the course of these ceremonies the figurines were deliberately broken. Later the fragments buried in mounds, possibly because they were felt to have residual power and had to be disposed of carefully.

As will be clear from the photos the figurines are full of character and have tremendous presence. For that reason the Koma Land figurines have generated considerable interest amongst collectors on the international art market with the result that the mounds where the figurines are found have been looted by treasure hunters. Of course, once removed from their original contexts and localities and the relationship between the objects as archaeological finds destroyed, a huge amount of invaluable information is lost. The GMMB and the University of Ghana have been working with local people to explain to them the cultural importance of the figurines and to support them in protecting the mounds. Though other figurines have been displayed outside Ghana these are the first to be exhibited abroad with the approval of the Ghanaian authorities.

The Fragmentary Ancestors exhibition opens to the general public on 25th October and runs until 5th May 2014. I’d be delighted to offer a tour of the exhibition for members of the Medieval section if we can agree a convenient date for any members who’d like this. Do drop me a line if you’re interested and hopefully we can arrange something

The beautiful photographs for the Fragmentary Ancestors exhibition were taken by Alan Seabright, photographer at Manchester Art Gallery. You can read a transcription of an interview with one of the Ghanaians who played a leading role in the campaign to save the Koma Land figurines on Manchester Museum’s Ancient Worlds blog.

Richard III and roundworm

Roundworm specimen in Manchester Museum zoology collection (thanks to Kate Sherburn)

It was revealed earlier this week that King Richard suffered from roundworm parasites in his gut. For more information see:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23878424

Given the insanitary conditions of the time and poor hygiene, parasites like roundworm must have been endemic. Archaeological evidence of astringents to clear the gut of such parasites have been found at Soutra hospital near Edinburgh, a medieval hospital that straddled the main highway between England and Scotland. Excavations there yielded the secrets of an extensive pharmacopoeia:- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/prozac-opium-and-myrrh-the-ancient-arts-of-anaesthesia-are-unlocked-1238659.html

Tormentil (potentilla) - with thanks to Claire Miles and Rachel Webster in Manchester Museum's Botany Department — Tormentil (Potentilla erecta) – with thanks to Claire Miles and Rachel Webster in Manchester Museum’s Botany Department

See also:-
http://militaryhuntingandfishing.com/sites/default/files/Medicinal-Plants-in-Folk-Tradition-2004-Allen-Hatfield.pdf
for information about herbal treatments.

I stress that this information comes with a health warning and you shouldn’t try this at home!

New Committee Medieval Section Y.A.S.

At last Saturday’s AGM as there were no nominations for the vacant posts on the committee it was suggested that it might be appropriate to disband the Medieval Section”. Only one serving officer, the Treasurer, was willing to continue – me (!).

After 44 years of promoting Medieval archaeology in Yorkshire this is a particularly sad, but far from hopeless, state of affairs. I said in my Treasurer’s report that we have a stable membership of about 130 with 16 institutional members. Nor are we short of funds, though some of it will be needed to publish the section journal Medieval Yorkshire. The Prehistoric and the Roman sections are both thriving, so why not the Medieval section? I can think of no richer region for Medieval archaeology than Yorkshire with all its abbeys and castles, not to mention fantastic museum collections and people actively researching many different aspects of the period.

A number of people at the AGM felt that something should be done to save the section and Janet Senior, Roy Andrews and I have formed an embryonic committee with the intention of recruiting new members and officers.

We need another three ordinary committee members and a Chairman. Jo Heron has kindly agreed to serve as Treasurer, allowing me to take over from Mike Edwards as Hon.Secretary. Stephen Moorhouse will continue as Hon.Editor. We have also had offers to serve on committee from staff at the International Medieval Institute.

Other volunteers would be most welcome. With quarterly meetings on a Thursday evening at Claremont it is not onerous and you do get to find out what’s happening across the county and make your voice heard in how the section is run.

We are not out of the woods yet but just over a week after the AGM I think we are within sight of forming a fully-functioning committee. Our remit will be to turn round the section and make it sustainable. We’d like more members to attend meetings at Claremont and in time to become members of committee and continue the work of running the section.

We also need to re-engage the members. With that end in mind Janet, Roy and I have put together a provisional programme of lectures for autumn this year and spring 2014. Starting in September there will be lectures on a range of different topics 2-3.30pm every second Saturday of the month at Claremont and it would be great to see members attending. I will post details once the Committee has approved the programme, all being well after May 9th. We hope to confirm a talk on the recent identification of Richard III‘s remains at Leicester in December.

I would very much appreciate it if members reading this Blog would respond with your thoughts and suggestions. What sorts of activities would you like to see: talks, day schools, excursions, visits to museums, social activities (like the famous Xmas high tea)? If you can suggest speakers for our programme for coming years or places to visit do please let us know. Even better, why not join us on committee?

We run the section in order to promote interest in Medieval Yorkshire and we genuinely want to offer events and activities that members will take part in and enjoy. Please help us to ensure that the Medieval section continues.

Bryan Sitch
Hon.Secretary
Medieval Section
Yorkshire Archaeological Society

Saturday 4th May 2013