In this way, Old Oyo was a center for Yoruba culture, the destination of tributes, and the seat of ritual and political rule.

[9] Reasons for Yoruba migration from cities such as Ile-Ife have been attributed to long droughts or the unselected in a leadership dispute leaving with his adherents.

[10] The Afin, the large palace complex, is a Yoruba tradition, while the sprawling market area signifies the role that mercantilism played in the maintenance and central focus of the Oyo empire.

According to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Old Oyo historical site is located at the coordinates 8°56'-9° 03' North 4°20'- 4°26'East.

In the region of West Africa, Grassland Savanna and to a lesser extent, Broadleaf Forests have been the dominant biome in the last 520 ka.

[15] This site has been lengthy occupied, and the effects of inhabitancy can be seen as changes to the environment, horticulture, and visible human artifacts still present on the landscape.

Of the archaeology, there are features; the remains of walls[16] and According to Frank Willett, the first Ife antiquity to be obtained by a European was sold at the Queen's market of Old Oyo.

Anthropogenic changes to the natural environment in this site have resulted in baobab trees, useful shrubs, and thickets being more prevalent in areas of greater human occupation.

The Aafin area has visible remnants of walls and pottery, and excavations yield charcoal and potsherds to varying depths.

Three successive levels of potsherd pavements, consisting of flatly laid ceramic tiles, have been uncovered at Old Oyo.

[23] Old Oyo pottery, as described by Dr. Ogiogwa, can include "characteristic burnishing, basting, brush marking, shell-edge, scallop impressions, dot punctuate, and incised geometric symbols consisting of cross, triangular, square, and perpendicular motifs.

Large pots had storage purposes, with those of medium sizes being used for cooking, and the smallest used as jars (grey/brown), bowls (typically dark grey/black),[2] lamps and plates.

In mid-later points of this stage, potters marks are distinguished which helps archeologists track the spread of the artisans and their products across the wide trade routes and the travels of the people of Old Oyo, as well as their dispersal after the city's collapse.

Large scale iron-working is known to be more prominent in the areas surrounding Old Oyo than in other regions of West Africa.

[26] This is caused by rich deposits in the area, and greater iron-working enabled the military to be better-equipped, and the empire to expand further.

[4] Grinding hollows can be used for a variety of purposes, including food, pigment, ceramic, and metal production.

[30] Areas of cultural history and heritage in Nigeria have been experiencing gradual decay and/or replacement in the recent past.