Abstract
This chapter investigates the consequences of the English presence at Dixcove (Efiema) and how the encounter impacted the indigenous Ahanta who occupy Dixcove and the local economy from 1620 to 1900 A.D. Archaeological, historical and ethno-historical sources constitute the primary data sources used. The archaeological study discussed in this chapter revealed that prior to the advent of the English and their construction of Fort Metal Cross in 1692, fishing, palm oil and salt production constituted the mainstays of the economy. The period subsequent to arrival of the English, however, witnessed the development of vibrant commercial relations between the two groups and inland polities such as Wassa and Aowin involving the exchange of exotic European merchandise such as ceramics, glass beads, textiles, firearms, metal implements and tobacco for traditional African commodities such as gold, ivory , timber and “slaves”.
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Biveridge, F. (2018). Fort Metal Cross: Commercial Epicentre of the British on the Gold Coast. In: Osei-Tutu, J., Smith, V. (eds) Shadows of Empire in West Africa. African Histories and Modernities. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39282-0_7
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