Nok Civilization by Linda Hill

Nok Civilization explores the fascinating yet mysterious Nok culture of West Africa, flourishing from around 1500 BCE to 500 CE.
Renowned for their advanced ironworking and striking terracotta sculptures, the Nok present a compelling case for independent technological and artistic development in pre-colonial Africa.
The book delves into the intricacies of Nok society, examining how their mastery of iron metallurgy may have enabled agricultural advancements and even influenced warfare, indicating a complex social structure.

The book's approach is multidisciplinary, integrating archaeological findings, art historical analysis, and scientific data to paint a comprehensive picture.
It begins by establishing the geographical and chronological context, then explores Nok ironworking technology and the stylistic features of their terracotta sculptures.
The analysis of Nok terracotta, known for their expressive realism, offers insights into their belief systems and social structures.

Organized into three distinct sections, the book first introduces the discovery of Nok artifacts and the challenges of research.
Second, it examines their ironworking technology, and finally, analyzes their terracotta sculptures.
It challenges simplistic views of African history and encourages critical evaluation of the evidence surrounding this influential, ancient civilization.