[2] The site is believed to have been constructed by the first wave of ancient herders who migrated to the region down from the Sahara around 5,000 years ago, a period marked by rapid climatic, economic and social change.
[2][7] Preliminary reports also suggested the presence of marine shells Strigatella paupercula, pointing to the wide trade network and contact between the site and the Indian Ocean.
[8] Recent excavations conducted under the auspices of the Later Prehistory of West Turkana (LPWT) project revealed a total of six primary burials which included nine individuals buried in different orientations and material culture.
Zoomorphic ceramic figurines discovered at the site represent various animals including a honey badger, leopard, giraffe, hippopotamus, elephant, and cattle.
[5] In addition, the recent studies on the sourcing on mineralogy of the stone beads found on the site, has also proved that the materials were locally sourced, therefore disproving the long-distance trade networks theory as earlier suggested by Nelson [12] The diversity of styles and decorations on the Nderit pottery in Jarigole, and other pillar sites including Lothagam North suugests a more variable and complex history of ceramics production and use than previously known.
[14][3][4][1][5] The construction and use of the pillar sites are believed to have been abandoned following the onset of the "static frontiers," where it is suggested that groups might have developed reifying institutions like age-sets and gerontocracy systems ubiquitous among present-day pastoralists in Africa.