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DECLARED MONUMENTS IN NIGERIA
Carved Stone Monoliths at
Alok:
There are numerous circles of interesting carved stones in the Cross River
Area; two of these circles of stones are situated on the Ogoja - Ikom
main road near the villages of Maghabe (Mile 111) and Alok (Mile 112);
little is known about the history or significance of these carved stones
but they are still revered by the local people.
The quality of workmanship and the variety of such an art form in this
region, gives the stones considerable interest. Although there is considerable
variation in details, all are alike in that they represent the head and
torso of a beard human figure.
They appear to have little significance for the present inhabitants that
these stones mark the graves of the Ntuls" the priest - chiefs of
the Alam people.
They may, of course have been carved much earlier and merely adopted
as grave-stone by the Alam people. Stone is apparently no longer carved.
(From report by Miss Rosemary Harris). Portridge C.Cross River Natives,
1905 Talbot, P. A. The peoples of Southern Nigeria, 1926; Narris R. "A
note on the sculptured stones in the Mid Cross River Area of S.E Nigeria"
MAN, 1959, 137: Allison, P.A. "Carved Stone Figures in the Ekoi Country
in the Middle Cross River", MAN, 1962, 15..
Declaration:
Declared Ancient Monument on 19th of March, 1963
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