The history of the first African sculpture
The history of the first African sculpture dates back thousands of years, with some of the earliest examples emerging from ancient Egypt and Nubia around 3000 BCE, including statues of pharaohs and deities like the Great Sphinx of Giza. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, the Nok culture (modern-day Nigeria) produced the oldest known figurative sculptures around 500 BCE, crafting striking terra-cotta human and animal figures with elaborate hairstyles and expressive features. These early works demonstrate advanced artistic skill and cultural sophistication, serving possible ritual or ceremonial purposes. Over time, other African civilizations, such as Ife, Gyaman, Benin, and Great Zimbabwe, developed their own sculptural traditions in bronze, stone, and wood, shaping Africa’s rich and diverse artistic heritage. While the exact "first" sculpture remains uncertain due to limited archaeological evidence, the Nok terra-cottas represent one of the earliest and most influential sculptural traditions in Africa.