Potsherd pavements: The preservation of the fragmented heritage of pre-colonial Yorubaland development

Abstract

The potsherd pavements of Yoruba heritage emerged notably between the 12th and 16th centuries, during which Ile- Ife, the spiritual and political centre of the Yoruba, was governed by a woman, Ooni Luwo Gbagida. These pavements, crafted from carefully arranged broken pottery, went beyond mere functionality. They embodied artistic expression, featuring detailed patterns and deep red hues that reflected the period's sophisticated aesthetics and cultural legacy. This study investigates the contemporary sustainability of these sites through a multi-site case study methodology, integrating archaeological documentation with ethnographic inquiry across Ile-Ife, Osogbo, and Ibadan. Primary data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 15 participants (N=15), including traditional leaders, local artisans, and heritage custodians, selected via snowball sampling. Findings reveal that insufficient institutional attention and the erosion of intangible knowledge have placed the cultural identity embodied by these sites at significant risk. The research documents a spectrum of heritage degradation: from the symbolic rupture and missing "concoction pots" in the royal groves of Ile-Ife, to the physical damage caused by mechanical workshops in Osogbo, and the total exhumation of pavements in Ibadan due to unchecked urban sprawl. The study concludes that the survival of these monuments depends on a transition from static preservation to a dynamic Sustainable Heritage Integration Model (SHIM). By synthesizing community engagement, legal safeguards, and the protection of intergenerational knowledge, the research offers a strategic framework to ensure that the sophisticated legacy of the 12th-century Yoruba world remains a resilient feature of the contemporary African landscape.