The Ancient Shrine of Isi-Ume and Ugwuele: Tracing the Origins of Humankind in Igboland
The history of the Igbo people is deeply intertwined with the ancient past of humankind itself. A remarkable archaeological discovery by Prof. Joseph Anozie has shed light on an ancient civilization in Igboland dating as far back as 500,000 B.C. This groundbreaking find provides compelling evidence that regions such as Uturu , Okigwe, Nsukka, Udi, Orlu, and Awka served as the epicenter of early Igbo settlements, playing a crucial role in the development of their culture and traditions.
Recently, a research team embarked on a journey to Ugwuele and Ngodo in Uturu, Abia State, uncovering astonishing remnants of this ancient past. Their exploration led them to a disused cave-shrine called Isi-Ume, perched atop the highest hill in Ngodo town in Uturu. This shrine, once a sacred site for the worship of Nnem Chukwu, the Great Mother God, was revered by the Ngodo Uturu people. The name “Isi-Ume” holds profound significance, symbolizing the place where humans took their first breath. The cave, with its intricate formations of stalactites and stalagmites, is an invaluable site that offers insight into the earliest human existence.
Further excavations between Ngodo village and the cave revealed fascinating artifacts, including ancient clay potsherds and palm nuts embedded in both old and new mud walls—clear indicators of prolonged human habitation. The team also discovered dark, heavy, and smooth slag along the path of a stream emerging from a rock outcrop, bearing a striking resemblance to artifacts housed in the Igbo Ukwu Museum. These findings confirm an unbroken chain of human settlement in the Ugwuele area, spanning from the Acheulian Age to the Metal Age and Pottery Age.
Historians note that hilltops were favored settlement sites during ancient times, particularly during massive floods that submerged large parts of the earth. The prehistoric indentations on the hills of Okigwe leading to Ugwuele serve as evidence of these ancient floods. These patterns suggest that, while much of the world was submerged, the Uturu hills may have remained above water, allowing the Acheulian Age people and their culture to survive through the deluge.
This extraordinary discovery calls for further archaeological investigations in the Uturu region to piece together the full timeline of Igbo civilization. It is evident that this culture, preserved by the Supreme God (Chukwu) and passed down through generations, shares intriguing connections with ancient religious traditions in Egypt and Mesopotamia. The significance of this cultural heritage extends beyond Igboland, providing invaluable insight into human origins and the spiritual evolution of early societies.
The ancient shrine of Isi-Ume and the archaeological treasures of Ugwuele stand as testaments to Igbo history and humanity’s shared past. The time has come for deeper scholarly engagement to unravel the mysteries hidden within Igboland’s sacred hills.
