Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya
Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya North Annex · Benin Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇳🇬 Edo, Benin City, Nigeria
About
About Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya
Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya in Edo, Benin City, Nigeria is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 6.3340N 5.6330E controls access to Edo resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Edo, Benin City, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1962 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya main structure
c. 1942
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
2002–2017
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
6.3340° N · 5.6330° E · 374 m · 4 mapped features
Benin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
6.3348° N · 5.6339° EBenin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
6.3330° N · 5.6323° EBenin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
6.3355° N · 5.6342° EBenin City Earthwork Emotan Sector Moat Iya — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
6.3324° N · 5.6319° E