Robert Soper
Biographic Data
| ID | 3957468 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Robert Soper |
| GIVEN NAMES | Robert |
| FAMILY NAME | Soper |
| SIGNATURE | SOPER R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Ibadan |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 28 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 289 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 28 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1966 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
Stone Cairns and Material Culture of the Middle to Late Holocene, Lake Turkana
A recent archival research project in the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) identified artifacts and human remains associated with the 1980 excavation of stone cairns and habitation areas on the west side of Lake Turkana. The presence of stone grave cairns across eastern Africa is common, but their cultural origins and construction times are enigmatic. This article presents the results of the archival project and contextualizes both the artifacts f…
Roger Summers 1907-2003
Pits, Tunnels and Cattle in Nyanga, Zimbabwe: New Light on an Old Problem
Muozi Hill Later Iron Age site is part of the Nyanga complex of terraces and pit structures. The debate on the use of these structures has been raging for many decades. The faunal material from the Muozi Hill site provides evidence for dwarf cattle, 20% or more smaller than modern African breeds. These animals are, on average, smaller than any cattle thus far identified from the southern African Iron Age. This in itself does not necessarily prove…
The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: New Investigations
(1996). The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: new investigations. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 1-35
African Civilizations: Precolonial Cities and States in Tropical Africa: An Archaeological Perspective
Roulette decoration on African pottery: Technical considerations, dating and distributions
Three Thousand Years in Africa: Man and His Environment in the Lake Chad Region of Nigeria
The Lake Chad region of Nigeria is an extreme environment: virtually treeless sand and a broiling clay plain in the fierce heat of the dry season, then much of it inundated and impassable in the wet season as whole areas turn into shallow lakes or marsh. Yet even this hostile landscape and climate have sustained human communities in continuous occupation for some three hundred years. Professor Connah traces the story of human adaptation to and ex…
L'Heritage de Zimbabwe
Archaeo-astronomical Cushites: Some Comments
This article examines the interpretation of some stone monuments in north-eastern Kenya put forward by Dr M. Lynch. Mr Soper is now with the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nairobi. The article is followed by Dr. Lynch's observations
The Later Stone Age and the Rock Paintings of Central Tanzania
Iron Age Archaeology and Traditional History in Embu, Mbeere and Chuka Areas of Central Kenya
The article describes the results of an archaeological survey of parts of the lower south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and attempts a somewhat inconclusive correlation with historical traditions. The majority of sites belong to the Iron Age, divided into recent Iron Age on sites attributable to present peoples of the area, and prehistoric Iron Age. The latter can be sub-divided into those of four different groups on the basis of typology, of whi…
The Stone-Circle Graves at Ng'amoritung'a, Southern Turkana District, Kenya
The Ng'amoritung'a site was first investigated by Mr Robert Soper (now Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Ibadan), while he was Assistant Director of the British Institute. Further excavations have recently been conducted by Mr Mark Lynch of Michigan State University
Archaeological Sites in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Robert Soper was Assistant Director of the British Institute until 1972 and is now Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The article describes a complex of trackways, mounds and occupation sites in the Chyulu Hills of southern Kenya, dated probably to the fifteenth or sixteenth century A.D. The sites are described and comparisons made with Iron Age material from the surrounding areas and relevant ethnogr…
New radiocarbon dates for Eastern and Southern Africa
This article continues the series started originally by Fagan and continued by Phillipson and Sutton.
History From Linguistics
(1972). HISTORY FROM LINGUISTICS. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 171-196
A General Review of the Early Iron Age of the Southern Half of Africa
The initial phases of the Iron Age in many areas of southern Africa have been recognised as forming a single inter-related archaeological complex which may be correlated with some confidence with the initial spread of Bantu speech. This article attempts to draw together the available archaeological evidence from the whole of this complex and to make deductions concerning the internal relationships between different parts of it, based mainly on a …
Resemblances between East African Early Iron Age Pottery and Recent Vessels from the North-Eastern Congo
This article describes a number of modern pottery vessels from the north-eastern Congo mainly from the Zande and Mangbetu ethnic groups, and draws attention to their remarkable resemblances to Early Iron Age pottery from East Africa dating from more than 1500 years earlier. The possibility is raised of a survival of the ceramic tradition over this long period
Early Iron Age Pottery Types from East Africa: Comparative Analysis
The Early Iron Age in East Africa is represented by two major related pottery types, Urewe ware (originally called Dimple-based ware) and Kwale ware, while a third collection from Lelesu in central Tanzania has clear similarities to both. This article provides a detailed typological comparison between representative collections of the three types and defines their differences and similarities, concluding that the Lelesu collection is typologicall…
Iron Age Archaeological sites in the Chobi Sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
The Chobi sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, is rich in archaeological material, particularly pottery, which litters the banks of the Victoria Nile. Three major pottery types are represented: Urewe ware belonging to the Early Iron Age and dated to the third century A.D.; a hitherto undescribed type designated Chobi ware, which is probably partly contemporary with and partly later than Urewe ware; and roulette decorated pottery of re…
The Bantu Studies Research Project
Iron Age Cultures in Zambia. Volume Two: Dambwa, Ingombe Ilede, and the Tonga
Radiocarbon Dating of “Dimple-Based Ware” in Western Kenya
An Archaeological Survey of Mwanza Region, Tanzania
The following report describes the results of fieldwork carried out in mid-1968 by Robert Soper and Bernard Golden, Director and Research Fellow respectively of the Bantu Studies Project of the British Institute. It sheds considerable light on the past of an area which was previously virtually unknown from an archaeological point of view
Petroglyphs in Northern Kenya
Rock Gongs and a Rock Chute in Mwanza Region, Tanzania
Mr. Soper, Assistant Director of the B.I.H.A.E.A., reports the recent discovery of rock gongs to the south of Lake Victoria, thus adding to the known distribution of this very widespread instrument
Kwale: An Early Iron Age Site in South-Eastern Kenya
Mr. Soper is Assistant Director of the B.I.H.A.E.A., and is in charge of the Bantu Studies Project of the Institute. He has been carrying out a survey of Iron Age sites in south-eastern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania. The identification of pottery related to Dimple-based ware near the coast, and the early radiocarbon date associated with it, represents an important step forward in our study of the Early Iron Age
An Archaeological Survey of Mwanza Region, Tanzania
The following report describes the results of fieldwork carried out in mid-1968 by Robert Soper and Bernard Golden, Director and Research Fellow respectively of the Bantu Studies Project of the British Institute. It sheds considerable light on the past of an area which was previously virtually unknown from an archaeological point of view
Roulette decoration on African pottery: Technical considerations, dating and distributions
Iron Age Sites in North-Eastern Tanzania
This second report by Mr. Soper describes part of the results of a survey of Iron Age remains which has so far covered south-eastern Kenya and parts of Tanga and Kilimanjaro Regions of Tanzania. The survey is being conducted by the British Institute of History and Archaeology in East Africa and the associated Bantu Studies Project and is conceived as a preliminary examination by means of surface collection and limited excavation where appropriate…
Early Iron Age Pottery Types from East Africa: Comparative Analysis
The Early Iron Age in East Africa is represented by two major related pottery types, Urewe ware (originally called Dimple-based ware) and Kwale ware, while a third collection from Lelesu in central Tanzania has clear similarities to both. This article provides a detailed typological comparison between representative collections of the three types and defines their differences and similarities, concluding that the Lelesu collection is typologicall…
Iron Age Archaeological sites in the Chobi Sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
The Chobi sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, is rich in archaeological material, particularly pottery, which litters the banks of the Victoria Nile. Three major pottery types are represented: Urewe ware belonging to the Early Iron Age and dated to the third century A.D.; a hitherto undescribed type designated Chobi ware, which is probably partly contemporary with and partly later than Urewe ware; and roulette decorated pottery of re…
Archaeo-astronomical Cushites: Some Comments
This article examines the interpretation of some stone monuments in north-eastern Kenya put forward by Dr M. Lynch. Mr Soper is now with the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nairobi. The article is followed by Dr. Lynch's observations
New radiocarbon dates for Eastern and Southern Africa
This article continues the series started originally by Fagan and continued by Phillipson and Sutton.
The Stone-Circle Graves at Ng'amoritung'a, Southern Turkana District, Kenya
The Ng'amoritung'a site was first investigated by Mr Robert Soper (now Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Ibadan), while he was Assistant Director of the British Institute. Further excavations have recently been conducted by Mr Mark Lynch of Michigan State University
Radiocarbon Dating of “Dimple-Based Ware” in Western Kenya
Archaeological Sites in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Robert Soper was Assistant Director of the British Institute until 1972 and is now Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The article describes a complex of trackways, mounds and occupation sites in the Chyulu Hills of southern Kenya, dated probably to the fifteenth or sixteenth century A.D. The sites are described and comparisons made with Iron Age material from the surrounding areas and relevant ethnogr…
The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: New Investigations
(1996). The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: new investigations. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 1-35
Iron Age Archaeology and Traditional History in Embu, Mbeere and Chuka Areas of Central Kenya
The article describes the results of an archaeological survey of parts of the lower south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and attempts a somewhat inconclusive correlation with historical traditions. The majority of sites belong to the Iron Age, divided into recent Iron Age on sites attributable to present peoples of the area, and prehistoric Iron Age. The latter can be sub-divided into those of four different groups on the basis of typology, of whi…
Resemblances between East African Early Iron Age Pottery and Recent Vessels from the North-Eastern Congo
This article describes a number of modern pottery vessels from the north-eastern Congo mainly from the Zande and Mangbetu ethnic groups, and draws attention to their remarkable resemblances to Early Iron Age pottery from East Africa dating from more than 1500 years earlier. The possibility is raised of a survival of the ceramic tradition over this long period
Rock Gongs and a Rock Chute in Mwanza Region, Tanzania
Mr. Soper, Assistant Director of the B.I.H.A.E.A., reports the recent discovery of rock gongs to the south of Lake Victoria, thus adding to the known distribution of this very widespread instrument
Stone Cairns and Material Culture of the Middle to Late Holocene, Lake Turkana
A recent archival research project in the National Museums of Kenya (NMK) identified artifacts and human remains associated with the 1980 excavation of stone cairns and habitation areas on the west side of Lake Turkana. The presence of stone grave cairns across eastern Africa is common, but their cultural origins and construction times are enigmatic. This article presents the results of the archival project and contextualizes both the artifacts f…
Pits, Tunnels and Cattle in Nyanga, Zimbabwe: New Light on an Old Problem
Muozi Hill Later Iron Age site is part of the Nyanga complex of terraces and pit structures. The debate on the use of these structures has been raging for many decades. The faunal material from the Muozi Hill site provides evidence for dwarf cattle, 20% or more smaller than modern African breeds. These animals are, on average, smaller than any cattle thus far identified from the southern African Iron Age. This in itself does not necessarily prove…
Petroglyphs in Northern Kenya
The Bantu Studies Research Project
Cup-Marks and Grinding Grooves
Cup-Marks and Grinding Grooves
Kwale: An Early Iron Age Site in South-Eastern Kenya
Mr. Soper is Assistant Director of the B.I.H.A.E.A., and is in charge of the Bantu Studies Project of the Institute. He has been carrying out a survey of Iron Age sites in south-eastern Kenya and north-eastern Tanzania. The identification of pottery related to Dimple-based ware near the coast, and the early radiocarbon date associated with it, represents an important step forward in our study of the Early Iron Age
Iron Age Sites in North-Eastern Tanzania
This second report by Mr. Soper describes part of the results of a survey of Iron Age remains which has so far covered south-eastern Kenya and parts of Tanga and Kilimanjaro Regions of Tanzania. The survey is being conducted by the British Institute of History and Archaeology in East Africa and the associated Bantu Studies Project and is conceived as a preliminary examination by means of surface collection and limited excavation where appropriate…
Petroglyphs in Northern Kenya
Rock Gongs and a Rock Chute in Mwanza Region, Tanzania
Mr. Soper, Assistant Director of the B.I.H.A.E.A., reports the recent discovery of rock gongs to the south of Lake Victoria, thus adding to the known distribution of this very widespread instrument
Radiocarbon Dating of “Dimple-Based Ware” in Western Kenya
An Archaeological Survey of Mwanza Region, Tanzania
The following report describes the results of fieldwork carried out in mid-1968 by Robert Soper and Bernard Golden, Director and Research Fellow respectively of the Bantu Studies Project of the British Institute. It sheds considerable light on the past of an area which was previously virtually unknown from an archaeological point of view
Iron Age Cultures in Zambia. Volume Two: Dambwa, Ingombe Ilede, and the Tonga
A General Review of the Early Iron Age of the Southern Half of Africa
The initial phases of the Iron Age in many areas of southern Africa have been recognised as forming a single inter-related archaeological complex which may be correlated with some confidence with the initial spread of Bantu speech. This article attempts to draw together the available archaeological evidence from the whole of this complex and to make deductions concerning the internal relationships between different parts of it, based mainly on a …
Resemblances between East African Early Iron Age Pottery and Recent Vessels from the North-Eastern Congo
This article describes a number of modern pottery vessels from the north-eastern Congo mainly from the Zande and Mangbetu ethnic groups, and draws attention to their remarkable resemblances to Early Iron Age pottery from East Africa dating from more than 1500 years earlier. The possibility is raised of a survival of the ceramic tradition over this long period
Early Iron Age Pottery Types from East Africa: Comparative Analysis
The Early Iron Age in East Africa is represented by two major related pottery types, Urewe ware (originally called Dimple-based ware) and Kwale ware, while a third collection from Lelesu in central Tanzania has clear similarities to both. This article provides a detailed typological comparison between representative collections of the three types and defines their differences and similarities, concluding that the Lelesu collection is typologicall…
Iron Age Archaeological sites in the Chobi Sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda
The Chobi sector of Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, is rich in archaeological material, particularly pottery, which litters the banks of the Victoria Nile. Three major pottery types are represented: Urewe ware belonging to the Early Iron Age and dated to the third century A.D.; a hitherto undescribed type designated Chobi ware, which is probably partly contemporary with and partly later than Urewe ware; and roulette decorated pottery of re…
The Bantu Studies Research Project
History From Linguistics
(1972). HISTORY FROM LINGUISTICS. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 171-196
New radiocarbon dates for Eastern and Southern Africa
This article continues the series started originally by Fagan and continued by Phillipson and Sutton.
Archaeological Sites in the Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Robert Soper was Assistant Director of the British Institute until 1972 and is now Senior Lecturer in the Department of Archaeology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The article describes a complex of trackways, mounds and occupation sites in the Chyulu Hills of southern Kenya, dated probably to the fifteenth or sixteenth century A.D. The sites are described and comparisons made with Iron Age material from the surrounding areas and relevant ethnogr…
The Stone-Circle Graves at Ng'amoritung'a, Southern Turkana District, Kenya
The Ng'amoritung'a site was first investigated by Mr Robert Soper (now Senior Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Ibadan), while he was Assistant Director of the British Institute. Further excavations have recently been conducted by Mr Mark Lynch of Michigan State University
Iron Age Archaeology and Traditional History in Embu, Mbeere and Chuka Areas of Central Kenya
The article describes the results of an archaeological survey of parts of the lower south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya and attempts a somewhat inconclusive correlation with historical traditions. The majority of sites belong to the Iron Age, divided into recent Iron Age on sites attributable to present peoples of the area, and prehistoric Iron Age. The latter can be sub-divided into those of four different groups on the basis of typology, of whi…
Archaeo-astronomical Cushites: Some Comments
This article examines the interpretation of some stone monuments in north-eastern Kenya put forward by Dr M. Lynch. Mr Soper is now with the Institute of African Studies at the University of Nairobi. The article is followed by Dr. Lynch's observations
The Later Stone Age and the Rock Paintings of Central Tanzania
Three Thousand Years in Africa: Man and His Environment in the Lake Chad Region of Nigeria
The Lake Chad region of Nigeria is an extreme environment: virtually treeless sand and a broiling clay plain in the fierce heat of the dry season, then much of it inundated and impassable in the wet season as whole areas turn into shallow lakes or marsh. Yet even this hostile landscape and climate have sustained human communities in continuous occupation for some three hundred years. Professor Connah traces the story of human adaptation to and ex…
L'Heritage de Zimbabwe
Roulette decoration on African pottery: Technical considerations, dating and distributions
African Civilizations: Precolonial Cities and States in Tropical Africa: An Archaeological Perspective
The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: New Investigations
(1996). The Nyanga terrace complex of eastern Zimbabwe: new investigations. Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 1-35
Archaeology (21 works) · Geography (21 works) · History (18 works) · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies (14 works) · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories (12 works) · Ancient history (11 works) · African history and culture analysis (8 works) · Bantu languages (6 works) · History (6 works) · Pottery (6 works)