Daily Gist & Guide

An extraordinary archaeological discovery in northeastern Nigeria has continued to attract attention because of its age and the historical questions it raises about early human settlement, transportation and migration in the region. Known as the Dufuna Canoe, the ancient wooden vessel is estimated to be approximately 8,000 years old. Its discovery in present-day Yobe State provides important evidence of the technological abilities of people who lived around the ancient Lake Chad region thousands of years ago. However, claims that the canoe proves migration from ancient Egypt to Borno, or establishes the historical origins of the Igala, Jukun and Kanuri peoples, require further evidence. How the Ancient Canoe Was Discovered The Dufuna Canoe was discovered on May 4, 1987, at Dufuna village in Fune Local Government Area of Yobe State. Historical accounts identify the discoverer as Mallam Ya'u, a Fulani cattle herder who reportedly encountered the wooden vessel while digging a well. Th...