Early (500 B.C.-1500)
Further information: History of Nigeria before 1500
Royal Bini mask, one of Nigeria's most recognized artefacts. Kingdom of Benin, 16th century.
The Nok people of Northern Nigeria produced the earliest terracotta sculptures found in the country.[23] The Nok civilization flourished between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D.[24] In the northern part of the country, Kano and Katsina have a recorded history dating to around 999 AD. Hausa kingdoms and the Kanem-Bornu Empire prospered as trade posts between North and West Africa.
Intricate bronze ceremonial pot cast by lost wax, with glass and carnelian beads. Dated to 9th century. Excavated at Igbo-Ukwu, modern-day Nigeria.
The Yoruba kingdoms of Ife and Oyo in southwestern Nigeria became prominent in the 12th[25][26] and 14th[27] centuries, respectively. The oldest signs of human settlement at Ife's current site date back to the 9th century,[25] and its material culture includes terracotta and bronze figures.