The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) in Nigeria has joined forces with Oxford University’s School of Archaeology in a groundbreaking partnership. Their goal is to create a hub of

archaeological excellence in West Africa, focusing on narrating the region's history from an African perspective and nurturing student pathways for sustained research benefits.

This collaborative initiative will see the establishment of an institute dedicated to archaeological, cultural, and scientific research. The institute will be located within the Pavilion, the inaugural structure within MOWAA's Creative District, situated in the heart of Benin City.

This joint effort paves the way for students from West African nations, as well as those with a strong academic interest in West African archaeology and heritage, to gain access to Oxford's globally acclaimed graduate courses in archaeological science.

Ore Disu, Director of the Pavilion, stated, "This partnership with Oxford University embarks us on an ambitious journey to establish a center of excellence for archaeological science, materials science, and conservation in West Africa. Our collaboration will bolster the path for African-centered scholarship, aiming to unveil the intricacies of our shared past and foster innovative ideas for our potential futures."

Led by Professor Shadreck Chirikure, Oxford’s Edward Hall Professor of Archaeological Science, who also serves as an Advisor to MOWAA, the research program is set to encompass skills development, pioneering West African archaeology research, and state-of-the-art analysis.

Through a tailor-made scholarship program offered on the MSc and DPhil Archaeological Science degrees, the partnership will facilitate the creation of a talent pipeline to address the Pavilion's staffing requirements. This initiative will also provide avenues for those interested in West African archaeology to conduct studies while accessing resources from both institutions.

This collaboration heralds the West African Empires Archaeological project—a multi-year interdisciplinary investigation integrating archaeology, art history, and biological conservation. The findings from excavations and complementary studies are expected to lay the foundation for exhibitions, publications, and community conversations that will enhance global awareness and propel the academic field of West African ecological and cultural heritage.

Ultimately, the Pavilion is poised to become a cutting-edge facility benefiting West Africa and beyond. The initial set of materials lab equipment is generously provided by the Gerda Henkel Foundation in Germany. During the Pavilion's establishment phase, Oxford’s School of Archaeology research laboratories will offer MOWAA an early start on archaeological analysis by leveraging the existing capacity within the school. The Pavilion's research leaders will tap into the expertise and practical insights of their Oxford counterparts to develop and oversee their forthcoming lab facilities.

Chirikure remarked, "This partnership sets an example of how transformative collaboration in research and capacity building can establish a center of excellence with equal benefits to everyone. Unlike other collaborations that merely extract archaeological samples from Africa without providing training or access to local scholars' publications, this initiative offers a mutually enriching relationship that will ensure the longevity of both institutions."

Over the next five years, the school will serve as a central hub for advanced analytical needs related to the Pavilion, associated archaeological explorations, and the museum. The project will encompass eminent specialists in paleoenvironmental science, material science, bioarchaeology, precise chronology, and specialized mapping.

Professor Amy Bogaard, Head of the School of Archaeology, expressed, "This presents an exciting opportunity for the School of Archaeology to engage in fresh research in Benin and West Africa, and to contribute to training a new generation of archaeologists operating in the region."

Established in 2019, the EMOWAA Trust functions as a not-for-profit foundation incorporated as a limited company by guarantee, following the model of many educational and not-for-profit organizations in Nigeria. It spearheads the development of the planned Museum of West African Art, MOWAA. The ongoing construction of the Creative District and its Pavilion building is underway.

The Creative District will encompass various edifices and green spaces where MOWAA will curate, safeguard, and exhibit works from West Africa's artistic legacy as well as contemporary creations. The district will also provide artist-in-residence facilities and exhibition venues for contemporary West African artists. Additionally, it will offer infrastructure, research, education, and capacity-building prospects for scholars and creative professionals throughout West Africa. Photo by Ewinosa, Wikimedia commons.