Abstract
The last time the Acheulean tools at Mai Idon Toro (NAFOK) were collected and studied scientifically by different archaeologists/historians for the purpose of national and international patronage was in the 1920s through the 1960s. After the 60s up-to-date, many writers have been writing about the Acheulean tools in NAFOK without having a physical contact with the tools or without having a direct understanding of the dilapidated state of the Acheulean site in NAFOK. More so, in the process of this study, I have not come across any single library material that deals specifically and wholly with the Acheulean industry in NAFOK, instead; the subject is casually or indirectly referenced as secondary. The information from the secondary sources I collected about NAFOK was peripheral and in distinct pieces seemingly because a specific author had not wholly dealt with the subject. This instigated the need to visit the Acheulean site in NAFOK in search of primary sources or information. This research is a study of the history of the researches done strictly about NAFOK and its Acheulean finds. The aims of this research are first, to give an update on the history of researches done about the Acheulean in NAFOK and second, to create further awareness on the need to encourage the patronage of public archaeology among Nigerians using the Acheulean site in NAFOK as a case study.
 Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The presence of fossils and bones of early humans found in Eastern, Northern and Southern Africa are often referred to as the “direct evidence” for the existence of early humans in these regions of Africa. This is so because there is a view among many archaeologists, anthropologists and paleontologists according to which bones are reliable evidence for the existence of early humans than stone tools. Bone tools or bone evidence for the existence of early humans in West Africa is scanty. Archaeologists rely on stone tools to explain the probable existence of early humans in West Africa and the stone tools are referred to as “indirect evidence.” It is likely that early humans might have lived in NAFOK not because direct evidence has been found but indirect evidence. This research is a study of the indirect evidence found in NAFOK for the existence of early humans. Historical archeologists and students of anthropology and West African history would find this research of great benefit because it discusses the contentious history of the view according to which early humans lived in NAFOK millions of years ago.
Highlights
There are many reasons why archaeology and paleontology in West Africa is not highly patronized by both local and international scholars in a similar way it is patronized in the Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (Boateng, 1978, p.102; Lange, 2004, p.319)
The handaxes and cleavers found in NAFOK can be classified or identified as Late Stone Age tools and are comparable or similar in form and function to the Acheulean industry found in Kenya and in Ethiopia
Dr Agai Jock Matthew and his team of researchers found that the alleged Late Stone Age tools in NAFOK reveal similar features as those explained and statute by previous archaeologists who worked on the Mai Idon Toro (NAFOK) Acheulean from the 1920s to the 1960s
Summary
There are many reasons why archaeology and paleontology in West Africa is not highly patronized by both local and international scholars in a similar way it is patronized in the Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa (Boateng, 1978, p.102; Lange, 2004, p.319). There is a lack of funding and institutional support by the Nigerian government to promote the study and patronization of public archeology (Wesler, 2002, p.25) Students of both tertiary and primary institutions hardly patronize heritage sites within Nigeria. There is inadequate or a lack of professional archeologists in Nigeria and especially in Northern Nigeria who are to undertake professional excavations and scientific study of artefacts This could be why most archeological finds in Nigeria were mostly conducted by the Europeans from the 1920sto the 1960s (cf Shaw, 1978, p.12). The declaration of intention and recommendation made by the National Commission for Museum Studies to the Plateau State and the Federal Government of Nigeria to recognize NAFOK as a National Monument suggests that they have accepted the works of the 1920s-onward archeologists and historians that proposed that the Acheulean industry existed in NAFOK. The site archaeologists are interested in NAFOK, has been ravaged by repeated mining activities creating valleys and contours rehashing the landscape of the area to the point that farming on the site activities are limited as well
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