IKOM MONOLITHS (the oldest existing man-made structure in Nigeria)
Probably as old as, through markedly more aesthetic than, the popular Stonehenge monuments on Salisbury plain southeast england.
the ikom monoliths are the oldest existing man-made structure in present day Nigeria. The monoliths,which are being considered for listing as a world heritage site by UNESCO, are believed to have been evected several centuries BC. ranging from 3 to 5 feet in height, the ikom monoliths are carved out of volcanic rock and arranged in several near perfect circles with their face (on which intricate decorative patterns were etched)looking inwards while the exact purpose for which the monuments were erected remain unclear,the skill and sophistication of the ancient civilization which constructed them are obvious in the designs and inscriptions marked on them.it is logical to assume they could have been used for some religious or ritual purpose,and some native maintain that their prominent ancestors were buried within or around the rings.
However, no excavation has been attempted to verify or discredit this claim.
carving on each phallic stone are unique, but a common design scheme was adopted by the carvers of most of them,typically including human features like eyes,noses,mouths,facial hairs,hand and tribal marks Other markings on the stonesbare clearly a form of hieroglyphic code distinct from any of the currently documented writting techniques of ancient civilizations. Native believe that the etchings hold the monoliths, but concede that they are unable to decipher the codes. Many fears that these secrets may have passed away with the ancient natives. While the true history and identify of the carves of the monoliths remain a mystery and the subject conjecture,their clearly distinct written form of communication and the beautifully geometric nature of their carvings has led many to propose that any research efforts into their civilization will yield very interesting results.
Rings of monoliths,all arrangecin similar manner, can be found in several communities in ikom-asmall quiet town in cross river state southeast Nigeria near the border with he Cameroon.in some communities the stone can be found right at the center of populated areas,while in other they are hidden in heavily wooded forests. Altogether,there are at least three hundred of them across the various locations.centuries of exposure to nature's element and human activities have wrought varying levels of deterioration on some of the monoliths,but quite a good number remain in remarkably good condition.