Nok Terracotta Head of a Woman

The artifacts of the ancient Nok people are among the oldest sculptures found in Africa outside of Egypt. Because their existence was not even know until archaeological expeditions in the 1940’s, almost nothing is known of their customs or culture. However, through recent finds, we can determine the expanse of their civilization and the unity of their artistic style. Although only a fragment, the emphasis of Nok statuary was always on the head, a stylistic tendency still prevalent in black African art. This head is a relic from an ancient civilization; a reminder of how rich and beautiful our common cultural heritage really is.