  Rop rock shelter location in Nigeria | |
| Location | Jos Plateau |
|---|---|
| Region | Nigeria |
| Coordinates | 9°20′57″N8°51′17″E / 9.34917°N 8.85472°E /9.34917; 8.85472 |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1944 |
| Archaeologists | Bernard Fagg |
TheRop rock shelter is an archaeological site on theJos Plateau ofNigeria.There are two layers containing artifacts.The first holds largescrapers and backed crescent-shapedstone tools.The later (upper) layer is about 2000 years old, and contains backedmicrolithic tools and pottery.[1]The shelter is about 50km south ofJos.[2]
The site was excavated byBernard Fagg in 1944.He discovered microliths, fragments of ground stone axes, two bored stones, one grooved stone, rubbedhematites and manypotsherds.[3]The lower, undated layer held relatively crude implements, apart from the rough crescents.The later layer held higher-quality microliths, geometrical forms and small points, as well as pottery.[4]This later layer only covers part of the site.[5]A skeleton was also found in a shallow grave, dated to around 25 BCEFrom the teeth, it appeared that the owner had lived largely on a starchy,plant-based diet.[3]A singleequid tooth was found with the same age based on its position in the stratum.[6][3]