Nigerian Archaeologist, Dr Lasisi, recognized Internationally as He receives the 2023 SAF Field Discovery Award

Dr. Olanrewaju Lasisi, a distinguished scholar and Mellon Fellow at the University of Virginia, has been accorded the 2023 SAF Field Discovery Award. The Shanghai Archaeology Forum, an initiative by the Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, bestows this honor to acknowledge outstanding contributions to archaeological research.

Dr. Lasisi’s acclaimed project, “Landscapes of Power: Architecture, Ritual, and Astronomy in the Making of the Yoruba World,” emerged triumphantly from a competitive pool of 138 nominations, reflecting a global acknowledgment of its scholarly merit. His research provides a compelling look into the interwoven nature of social structure, ritual life, and celestial observation within the ancient Yoruba civilization.

The award is a testament to Dr. Lasisi’s innovative integration of archaeology with ethnography, performance studies, and archaeoastronomy to explore the complex dynamics of power and spirituality in Ijebu-Ode. His findings have significantly enhanced the understanding of the Yoruba’s sophisticated approaches to urbanism, ritual, and cosmic engagement.

Previously, the SAF has recognized the exceptional work of Nigerian archaeologist Dr. Babatunde Babalola, whose discoveries on ancient Ile-Ife glass beads set a high standard for archaeological research. In a remarkable succession, it was Dr. Babalola, along with Professor Akin Ogundiran, who nominated Dr. Lasisi’s groundbreaking work for this year’s award, illustrating the collaborative spirit and excellence within the field.

Dr. Lasisi’s research offers an indepth exploration of the Ijebu-Yoruba Kingdom in present-day southwestern Nigeria. It delves into the complex relationships between architecture, astronomy, and ritual that define the Ijebu-Yoruba polity. The project commenced with an examination of Sungbo’s Eredo, the monumental fortification that demarcates the Ijebu kingdom, revealing the sophisticated spatial and temporal power dynamics within the ancient Ijebu palace and its surroundings.

The research uncovers how the Ijebu-Yoruba people’s architectural prowess, celestial knowledge, and ritualistic practices shaped their social and economic landscape. It highlights the significance of potsherd pavements within key ritual spaces, transcending utilitarian functions and acting as mnemonic devices, symbolic meaning carriers, and conduits between terrestrial and celestial realms.

Dr. Lasisi’s methodology, which integrates archaeological examination with ethnographic inquiry and indigenous hermeneutics, has illuminated the ways in which ritual and astronomy intersect in the architectural landscape of the Ijebu-Yoruba. His findings significantly enhance our understanding of African history, cultural astronomy, and the role of indigenous knowledge systems in interpreting the past.

This award places Dr. Lasisi among a distinguished group of scholars who have made impactful contributions to the field of archaeology. It is a recognition of his dedication to unveiling the intricacies of African civilizations and his commitment to integrating diverse research methodologies.

We congratulate Dr. Lasisi on this remarkable achievement and look forward to the continued insights and revelations his research will bring to the world of archaeology and beyond.

As Dr. Lasisi prepares to present his research at the 5th Shanghai Archaeology Forum, the academic community and enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipate the insights he will share. His dedication to unveiling the past continues to inspire and pave the way for future scholars in the field of archaeology.