Yoruba scientist win $300,000 global award
By Akintude Adaba
A Yoruba acheologist has won an International prize for his acheological research.
The research indicated that glass technology began at Ile Ife centuries ago contrary to long held opinions by researchers.
Dr. Abidemi Babatunde Babalola won the prestigious $300,000 Dan David Prizw which is the world’s largest history award.
The ceremony was held in Italy.
Babalola was recognized for his unique and milestone pioneering research.
The research established that glass bead production in Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of Yoruba people was indigenous.
His research destroyed the long-held colonial narratives that Africa had no technology prior the coming of Europeans.
Experts said Dr. Babalola’s work created a paradigm shift from established knowledg of pre-colonial African civilizations and contributions to science and techmology.
The Dan David Prize is endowed by the Dan David Foundation. It honors remarkable early- to mid-career scholars who dive deep into the human past.
The Yoruba born scientist successfully utilized material science to excavate and analyze glass manufacturing materials in Ugbo-Olokun (Ile-Ife), dating back to the 11th and 15th centuries, proving the advanced technology existed independently of European.
The findings only highlights Yoruba technological advancement and significant contributions to world civilisation.