Questions and Answers
Which of the following sites in Nigeria is dated the earliest?
What was the estimated size of the army that the Kanem Borno Empire could muster at its peak?
Which of the following tribes is NOT mentioned as a major consideration in southern Nigeria?
What is the estimated timeline for the second phase of state building in the Kanem Borno Empire?
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Which art center is NOT mentioned as important in Nigerian arts?
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What is the earliest known use of iron in sub-Saharan Africa associated with?
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How far back does glottochronology suggest most linguistic groups in Nigeria have inhabited their current location?
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Which of the following artefacts was dated to the early Stone Age?
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What is a perspective about the Igbo society regarding their migration?
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Which myth is referenced regarding the Yoruba people?
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Study Notes
Emergence of Civilisation in Nigeria
- Civilisation began to emerge in Nigeria approximately three thousand years ago.
- Archaeological findings in the Nok area include terracotta sculptures dated between 925 B.C. and 200 A.D.
- The Nok findings indicate the diffusion of iron technology, marking the earliest known use of iron in sub-Saharan Africa.
Linguistic Evidence and Ancient Settlements
- Linguistic data suggest that most linguistic groups in Nigeria have been in their current locations for about four thousand years.
- Oral traditions from various Nigerian societies indicate even older histories, with some tracing back to the beginning of creation.
- The Yoruba creation myth exemplifies these ancient narratives.
Archaeological Discoveries
- The oldest artefact found in Nigeria is carbonised wood dated to before 37,000 B.C. from the Nok site.
- Other significant Stone Age sites in Nigeria include:
- Igbo Ukwu: 11,550 B.C.
- Iwo Eleru: 9,250 B.C.
- Zenbi Falls: 3,485 B.C.
- Ukpa: 2,935 B.C.
- Rop: 2,555 B.C.
Cultural and Ethnic Diversity
- Nigeria is home to over four hundred and fifty different ethnic groups.
- More than 200 tribes were recorded in the northern provinces alone.
- A brief study focuses on major tribes and kingdoms from both northern and southern Nigeria.
Northern Nigeria: Kanem Borno Empire
- Kanem Borno Empire is one of the earliest records of state building in Nigeria, established around the ninth century A.D., with confirmation of the eleventh century A.D.
- At its peak, the empire expanded into present-day Chad, Niger Republic, and Cameroon.
- The empire maintained a formidable military force, including 100,000 cavalry and 120,000 infantry.
- The history of Kanem Borno is divided into two primary phases.
Cultural Centres and Art
- Key art centres in Nigeria include Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin, Owo, Esie, and Akwanshi.
- Study focuses on cultural characteristics, political organization, and artistic expressions of significant tribes such as the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Edo (Benin Empire).
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Description
Discover the early civilisations of Nigeria with a focus on archaeological findings in the Nok region. This quiz explores ancient artefacts, including terracotta sculptures and the introduction of iron technology, shedding light on Nigeria's rich historical roots. Test your knowledge about these significant developments in Nigerian history.
