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DECLARED MONUMENTS IN NIGERIA
Rock Painting Shadawanka, near Bauchi:
A large cave containing paintings was discovered in January, 1961 on a
hill at shadawanka. Although the condition of the paintings is poor, it
is possible to distinguish drawings of wild animals and many enigmatical
signs including ladders and what resembles a rising sun symbol.
The cave itself is formed by a huge over-hanging rock which gives ample
shelter from above, but the rock floor is on such a slope that storm water
can flow through the cave, thus making it unsuitable for permanent occupation.
Exploratory excavations confirm that no important occupation layer exist
but there is evidence in the remains of pottery and quarts arrow points
and arrow barbs that the cave must have been used occasionally by the
people living in a neolithic settlement previously discovered at the foot
of the hill.
It is still used as a shelter during heavy rain and there are sounding
rocks and a rock slide not far away where children come to play.
Shadawanka is three miles north of Bauchi and the cave is visible from
the main road.
Declaration:
Declared Ancient Monument 19th March, 1963.
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