TheIkom monoliths are a series ofvolcanic-stonemonoliths from the area ofIkom,Cross River State,Nigeria. TheEjagham may have engraved the monoliths around 200 CE. The monoliths are also called Akwasnshi or Atal among theEjagham people.[1][2]
The stones are distributed among over thirty communities, in each community, they are found in circles, facing each other erect. Numbering about 300 in total, themonoliths are between 0.3 and 1.8 metres (1 and 6 feet) high and are laid out in some thirty circles located around Alok in theIkom area ofCross River State. They may be located in the central meeting place of the village or in the uncultivated area outside the village. Themonoliths are carved in hard, medium-texturedbasaltic rock, a few are carved insandstone andshelly limestone; they arephallic in form and some feature stylized faces as well as decorative patterns andinscriptions. Although the carvings have not been deciphered, researchers and linguists believe that the inscriptions may represent a form of writing and visual communication.[2][3]
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Exposure toextreme weather conditions have put these monoliths at risk oferosion and deterioration. The monoliths are also located in an area where the nearby people do not commonly see their worth as tourist attractions. They were added to theWorld Monuments Fund's list of sites in danger in 2008.[4] In 2020, Ikom monoliths were found byU.S Customs and Border Protection atMiami International Airport under fraudulent documents. At the time of the seizure, CBP officials indicated that the artifacts would be returned to Cameroon.[5] The artifacts will be returned to Cross River (Nigeria).[6] The smuggling of Ikom monoliths to the US highlights the shortage of heritage and archeology staff in the Nigerian public administration.[7]
A medium-sized example of an Ikom monolith with human facial features can be found in theBritish Museum's collection.[8]
