Gates and wheel guards

Monumental gateways were a sign of a family’s wealth. Their wooden (often carved) leaves were topped by a roof that protected them from the rain. You can see many examples of these in Ibos, where metal has sometimes replaced wood. The wheel stops are visible at the base of the side pillars of the monumental gates. These large, rounded stones, whether carved or not, were used to push the wheels of carts aside to prevent damage to both the gates and the vehicles.