A groundbreaking research project led by KNUST’s West Africa Geophysics Lab has demonstrated that the future of archaeology lies not just in what is found, but in how it is found. Through an innovative integration of drone mapping and geophysical technologies, a team of KNUST researchers has unearthed Ghana’s first documented musket balls.
The discovery was made at Fort Tantumquery in Otuam in the Central Region. The 18th-century musket balls, each measuring approximately 1.8 centimetres in diameter, provide physical evidence of military activity at the fort, which was established in the 1720s by the Royal African Company as part of a network of coastal forts linked to trade and the transatlantic slave trade. They are believed to be the first of their kind documented at any of Ghana's colonial forts.
Led by Dr. Cyril Dziedzorm Boateng, Principal Investigator and Head of the West Africa Geophysics Lab in KNUST's Department of Physics, the team employed an integrated approach combining drone mapping, Ground Penetrating Radar, and Electrical Resistivity Tomography. This methodology achieved an 83.3% feature-detection accuracy rate while reducing excavation work by 95% compared with conventional methods.
"This represents a major shift in how we investigate heritage sites in Ghana," said Dr. Boateng. "We have demonstrated that advanced geophysical technology can work effectively in our local soil conditions, allowing us to uncover history without disturbing the site unnecessarily."
The project was funded through the SG-NAPI award, supported by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through UNESCO-TWAS. It brought together KNUST's Department of Physics, the University of Ghana's Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, and the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board.
This breakthrough has the potential to transform archaeological investigations across Ghana and West Africa, allowing for smarter, less invasive excavation while preserving fragile heritage sites for future generations.
The findings are currently featured in an exhibition titled "Muskets and Megahertz: A Geophysical Detective Story" at the KNUST Museum (Opoku Ware II Museum). Running from 26th February to 31st March, 2026, the exhibition offers free admission, with a virtual tour available on 31st March.