Potsherd Pavement Discovered In Imesi Ekiti
An archaeological finding, a long potsherd pavement, consisting of broken ceramic material, has been discovered at the palace of Oba Olatunji Olatunde, the Onimesi of Imesi Ekiti in Gboyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State.
Oba Olatunde made the historical and transgenerational heritage asset known the during the visit of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ekiti State on Tourism Development, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, to his palace.
The traditional ruler, who is having a week-long programme to celebrate the first year of his coronation, said the potsherd pavement can be found, not only in the palace, but also in other parts of the town.
Oba Olatunde said: “Imesi town is an ancient town of rich and glorious past. An old kingdom that has given birth to many towns in Yoruba land.
“Apart from this potsherd pavement, Imesi also harbours many heritage and touristic assets like the the Iseku Stream which has been found to be of medicinal value and the traditional healing water of great potent and a cave which harboured our forefathers during the war.
“I am a product of a rich cultural pedigree. I understand the value which the enhancement of tradition, arts, culture and tourism could bring to a town. That is the main reason we are branding Imesi as a cultural-tourism town of immense proportion.
“You see that our Imesi Museum of Royal Antiquities, which is the first in the state, is 95 per cent completed and will be inaugurated during the first year coronation ceremony slated for June 7– 13. And within the period, Imesi will host the first Royal Arts Exhibition in Ekiti State.”
Ambassador Ojo-Lanre said he was in Imesi Ekiti in furtherance of his assignment on profiling historical and cultural heritage of tourism significance in Ekiti State.
He said he was elated when the traditional ruler conducted him round the palace and unveiled the potsherd pavements, which he said dated back to hundreds of years.
Ojo-Lanre said the potsherd pavements are evidence of age long civilization associated with ancestral towns of historical significance, adding that, with the assistant of archaeologists, there could be more revelations on the Imesi potsherd pavements.
