Artifact And Antiquities: Repatriation Not Enough But Cultural Preservation Central- Ooni
The need for repatriation of Yoruba artifacts and antiquities from foreign lands should not overwhelm the conscious efforts to lay the solid foundation for retrieving the ancient endowments
Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi who arouse the consciousness at the on-site exhibition and unveiling of the ancient Olokun Heritage site in Ile-ife, said cultural preservation and location is central to such a move.
This is just as the monarch claimed that the Yoruba race commenced what is today known as physics and other high technological studies globally.
According to the Ooni, the site is significant in that, it is the location where the prominent Ori Olokun bronze head was discovered and excavated in 1910 and taken to the British Museum where it is till date
“During a research in the 18th century, a British scientist known as Richard Landner led a team to a market in the Old Oyo empire known as Katingua where they found some precious items. When they asked the Oyo people, they said such items could be only gotten from Ife; where they all came from.
“When the researcher traced it down to Ife in 1830, he was marvelled to see a very broad-based technology rolling out glass technology in millions and trading it across the world. Other researchers came in the early 19th century, they kept digging and that was when they saw the Yoruba’s identity; Ori Olokun and took it to the British Museum.
“We are the first material scientists as far as Physics, Chemistry and other high technologies are concerned. We started the glass technology here, before you all are items of over four thousand years ago that stands as evidence to justify the claim.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
He said findings from the archeological survey conducted on the site which affirmed that materials for production of glass were sourced in the area in the ancient time, is further attestation that Ile-Ife is the cradle of civilization.
Speaking, a researcher from the British Museum, Dr. Abidemi Babalola, explained that he was fascinated to undertake since 2009, the research to affirm that materials for glass production were source from the site based on report of early researchers.
Babalola said, “What we do hear is that the glass technology which is the oldest material created by man on earth was only invented in the Middle East and also the ancient Egypt and then spread
