Nok Furnace Complex
Nok Furnace Complex Site
Early Medieval (500–1000 CE)·Iron Age·🇳🇪 Ténéré, Niger
About
About Nok Furnace Complex
Nok Furnace Complex in Ténéré, Niger is a Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) rock art attributed to Iron Age culture. Systematic survey and LiDAR document architectural phasing and stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and ancillary features with votive deposits. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Iron Age site illustrating Early Medieval (500–1000 CE) rock-art traditions.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology of Nok Furnace Complex
- 02Function of ancillary enclosures
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for Iron Age
- 02Defensive and ritual focus
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. 800 BCE
- Period
- Early Medieval (500–1000 CE)
- Culture
- Iron Age
- Purpose
- Defensive enclosure and administrative site
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 800 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1000 CE
Abandonment or reuse
On the ground
Structures & features
16.1620° N · 7.0275° E · 113 m · 3 mapped features
Nok Furnace Complex — Principal Feature
structurePrimary rock-art feature at Nok Furnace Complex
16.1628° N · 7.0283° ENok Furnace Complex — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary complex at Nok Furnace Complex
16.1613° N · 7.0269° ENok Furnace Complex — Outlier
rock artOutlier at Nok Furnace Complex
16.1631° N · 7.0265° E