NOK

Nok refers to a prehistoric culture in West Africa, centered in what is now northern Nigeria. The culture is best known for its distinctive terracotta figurines and for being among the early groups in the region to develop ironworking. The name comes from the village of Nok in Kaduna State, where the first such artifacts were found in the early 20th century.

Geography and dating. Nok sites are scattered across central Nigeria, particularly on the Jos Plateau and surrounding river valleys. The cultural period is generally dated roughly from 1000 BCE to 300 CE, though precise dates vary by site and interpretation. The discovery of Nok artifacts in the 1920s and subsequent excavations helped highlight a long sequence of material culture in the region.

Art and artifacts. Nok is celebrated for life-sized to small terracotta sculptures, including heads and full-figure statues. The figures typically show stylized features such as almond-shaped eyes, broad noses, and pronounced lips, with elaborate hair and headdresses in some examples. These sculptures are believed to have had religious, ceremonial, or funerary uses, though their exact functions remain a subject of study.

Technology and economy. The Nok culture produced clay artworks and is associated with early metalworking in West Africa. Evidence of iron smelting and iron artifacts demonstrates advanced metallurgical knowledge for the period. The material culture indicates a society engaged in crafts, craft specialization, and regional exchange networks.

Discovery and significance. Named after the Nok village, the culture gained recognition through 20th-century archaeological work that established its antiquity and artistic distinctiveness. Nok remains important for understanding the early development of sculpture and metallurgy in sub-Saharan Africa and for informing broader discussions of prehistoric West African history.