Overview:

, is a site of carved rocks containing hundreds of petroglyphs - pictograms which tell stories about the history of the people who created them. It is believed to be the earliest known art site in Nigeria, with carvings dating back over 3,000 years. The petroglyphs are thought to depict events from the area’s ancient past, such as war, ceremonies, and rituals. The site is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Nigeria
Prominent Features:

The Igbara Oke Petroglyphs are located near Igbara Oke in Ondo State, Nigeria, and consist of two prominent features. The first feature is an engraved rock that depicts an ancient hunting scene. The scene is composed of a man, a bull, and an antelope, with the man brandishing a bow and arrow and the animals appearing to be in mid-stride. The second feature is a menhir, or standing stone, which has been made into a memorial to a locally revered hunter. The menhir is believed to have been made by a hunter-gatherer society and is estimated to date from between 7800 and 5000 BC. The petroglyphs provide valuable insight into the daily lives and spiritual beliefs of the hunter-gatherer population that inhabited the area in prehistoric times. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Nigeria.

History:

Igbara Oke Petroglyphs are located at Igbara Oke in Ondo State, Nigeria. Situated along the Akure-Ondo Road, the petroglyphs are among the oldest and most significant archeological sites in the country. Thought to have been created thousands of years ago, these petroglyphs bear messages that were inscribed onto the faces of boulders and stones by the earliest known inhabitants of the region. The exact age of the petroglyphs is not known but they are believed to be a physical relic of the Ilare-Ou or Aiyelare people who were the earliest inhabitants of the region. However, there is no documentation that refer to this group of people and their origin and settlements. The Ilare-Ou or Aiyelare people are believed to have carved the petroglyphs into the stones to serve as religious symbols and sacred designs which may have been used to invoke protection from spiritual entities. The petroglyphs feature an array of designs including horizontal lines, baboon figures, human faces, hands and feet as well as spirals and circles. Other animal figures like crocodiles, tortoises, birds, antelopes and even snakes have been carved onto the stones, providing researchers with a glimpse into the culture and beliefs of an ancient people. Today, the Igbara Oke petroglyphs are protected by the government and are a popular tourist attraction in the region. As well as providing a unique insight into the history and culture of the region, these petroglyphs are also a witness to the immense amount of creativity of the local population in ancient times. Sources: - https://e-governor.ondo.gov.ng/story/igbara-oke-petroglyphs-protecting-ancient-artifacts/ - https://www.africaranking.com/igbara-oke-petroglyphs/ - http://www.thebiogeographer.com/igbara-oke-petroglyphs-stories-that-rocks-tell/ Visit one of the famous monuments of Nigeria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

: 1. The Igbara Oke Petroglyphs are one of the largest collections of prehistoric rock-art in all of West Africa, with many ancient symbols and characters carved into the rocks. 2. The symbols and characters are believed to be from over 2500 years ago, and provide a unique insight into early African culture in Nigeria. 3. The Petroglyphs were discovered in 1972 when geologist J. W. Ngeramu found them during an important geological survey in Ondo State. 4. The Petroglyphs are located around the rocky outcrops near the banks of the River Eyeniyi near Igbara Oke. 5. The Petroglyphs are believed to represent a number of themes including Indigeneity, hunting, religion, fertility, worship and ancestor worship. 6. The Petroglyphs are protected by state law and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 7. In 2016, researchers used radiocarbon dating to date the Petroglyphs to between 360 CE and 800 CE. 8. In 2018, a team of geologists and anthropologists discovered iron slag, estimated to be from 800 BC, near the Petroglyphs, providing further evidence of early human settlement in the region. One of the historical monuments of Nigeria, it tells the story of a bygone era