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| Figure 1: Nok terracotta sculpture housed at the Lourve |
The continent of Africa may be the
cradle of humanity, and therefore it should not be a surprise that the world’s
earliest cultures come from there. One
of those cultures is the Nok of Nigeria (Figure 1).
Originally discovered by accident in the early 1900s the Nok are best
characterized by their magnificent terracotta sculptures, which led to the identification
of their culture. A recent resurgence in
study of the Nok has yielded additional information about them, which will be covered
in this blog post. Various aspects of
the Nok culture will be explored herein.
The Nok were
initially discovered by Bernard Fagg.
The discovery of several terracotta sculptures and pieces of large
sculptures was brought to his attention, and he launched a couple of
excavations to learn more about the culture.
His work was largely unpublished, but he did publicize that he believed
that the Nok were sophisticated artisans and the earliest iron smelters.
There was a
lull in study of the Nok due to government corruption and warfare in
Nigeria. During that time, thousands of
Nok sculptures-real and manufactured-turned up on the illegal antiquities
market, which allowed art historians to study them. Unfortunately, due to the lack of archaeological
contexts to accompany these finds very little is known about the cultural
significance or function of these terracotta pieces. These looting
events have hampered study of these known pieces, as well as potentially
future studies at various sites.
There has
been a recent resurgence in interests in the Nok culture and systematic excavations
at Nok sites have occurred. From these
we have gained a deeper understanding of the Nok culture. They were an advanced culture that existed
from 500
BC and 200 AD. They settled in highland villages
consisting of stone buildings and cultivated millet and gathered wild
rice. They were also iron smelters,
although possibly not the earliest as several African groups worked iron. They had a complex religion, as well as one
of the earliest judiciary systems. In
addition to their terracotta they created an array of pottery, iron utilitarian
and nonutilitarian items, as well as rock art.
Investigations
of the Nok and their complex culture continue.
With more research more information will be uncovered and a greater
understanding of not only this culture but other African cultures. These discoveries will help provide scholars
and the public alike a better realization of human cultural development, as
well as African cultural history that has largely (and inappropriately) been
ignored.
References
Atwood, R. (2011).
“The Nok of Nigeria.” Archaeology Magazine 64 (4).
Holloway, A. (2013).
“The Highly Advanced and Mysterious Ancient Civilization of the Nok.” Ancient Origins. Retrieved from http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-africa/highly-advanced-and-mysterious-ancient-civilization-nok-00679
Kahlheber, S., Höhn, A., & Rupp,
N. (2009). Archaeobotanical studies at Nok sites: an interim report. Nyame
Akuma, 71, 2-17.
Phillipson, D. W. (2005). African archaeology. Cambridge
University Press.
Rupp, N., Ameje, J., & Breunig,
P. (2005). New studies on the Nok culture of central Nigeria. Journal of
African Archaeology, 3(2), 283-290.
12 comments:
It makes me genuinely upset knowing how much politics and conflict interfere with study, especially when it endangers uninvolved parties. It makes me think very lowly of the conflicting groups and it honestly just makes them look like babies with guns. That being said, I'm glad research is still being conducted despite the unreasonable behavior of the more radical groups. I'm glad researchers were still able to study the antiquities disregarding where they got them from.
It's crazy how the artifacts (sculptures) were just sold like that to unknown people due to the government, politics, and the wars that were going on. It's like every time something is found in Africa it gets treated in the worst way. But I do like how they had their own judiciary system and a very complex view on religion. I would LOVE to study about them more!
-Armoni Mosby-Sheard
This culture is actually discussed in depth in the last chapter we will discuss in this class. As you are interested in learning more about them feel free to read ahead. :)
I have seen some of the Nok art in museums before and the picture looks a lot like the artifact I saw. I personally believe that Africa is the cradle of life where all life began.
Nok art is such an interesting looking artifact. It's disappointing that the government ruined opportunity. They put a stop to a lot of knowledge that could of been found.
I totally agree. It makes me wonder what is out there that we will never know because people with power don't want us to know it.
This culture used sculptures as a way to make the culture that they created which is one of many unique things that they bring to the world.
Nok art was very interesting to read about. I would love to see it up close and personal in a museum. Erika Morris
The Nok art was very interesting to learn about if I am not mistaken I remember looking up some of these sculptures on website they are all so well put together and very detailed. But I feel it is somewhat sad on how the government just takes these artifacts from their homes and sell them and not knowing how sacred they are to these people . - Mykia Chaney
Hi my name is Avery Davis,and I think this blog is so interesting. I really like African art for it is unique and creative. Most of them have a rich and long history behind it.
Its annoying how the government ruined their opportunity. The Nok art was very interesting. Its my first time hearing about it.
-Kyla Thomas
I never about the Nok culture until this article and it had some interesting facts. What stood out to me was how they were early when it came to having a judiciary system.
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