Bigo bya Mugenyi

The first consists of a long, irregular ditch and bank alignment with multiple openings that effectively creates an outer boundary by connecting to the Katonga River in the east and the Kakinga swamp to the west.

In the fall of 1960, M. Posnansky conducted further investigations at Bigo with the intent to "make as complete a survey as possible ... to establish the cultural sequence [of the site] and to obtain charcoal samples for Carbon 14 dating.

"[3] During his investigation of Bigo, Posnansky spent over 7 weeks excavating more than 20 trenches (with a total volume of 781 cubic feet) at four locations (three within the main enclosure area and one at the outer ditch).

Combined, the outer ditches run for more than 6 kilometers and encompass over 300 hectares[2] with topography ranging from lowlands to a hilly area rising more than 4,000 feet.

[4] This functional interpretation was also supported by Bunyoro oral tradition from the colonial period in which claims were made that the Bachwezi and Babito dynasties invaded the region from the north.

A number of factors contradict the interpretation that the earthworks were constructed to protect from human invaders, foremost among them is the fact that the overall great length of the outer ditch system is such that it would be logistically impossible to guard.

[3] The pottery is noteworthy for decorative styling consisting of knotted grass roulette band on or just below the rims while some vessels were also painted using a red ochre slip.