New excavations in the Idanre Hills of Nigeria have revealed subterranean storage chambers specifically designed for ritual yam preservation, dating to the late first millennium CE. These pits, distinct from ordinary granaries, were located within a ceremonial complex, pointing to the early origins of the New Yam Festival (Iwa Ji), a tradition still central to West African culture today.
The team discovered residues of palm wine and terracotta masks within the chambers, suggesting that the first harvest was offered to the ancestors in a communal feast. This discovery provides a continuous cultural timeline for one of the continent's most significant heritage celebrations.