Researchers in Ifé, Nigeria, have identified a series of terracotta-lined pits that appear to have served as the focal point for ancestral harvest rites during the 13th century. The pits contained a variety of votive objects, including miniature clay tools and stylized human heads, which were found layered with organic remains of yams and oil palm fruit.
The structured nature of these deposits suggests a formalized 'Festival of the First Harvest', which emphasized the spiritual connection between the ruling dynasty and the land's fertility. This find bridges the gap between oral traditions of the Yoruba people and archaeological evidence, confirming that the spiritual underpinnings of modern harvest festivals in the region date back nearly a millennium.