A groundbreaking LiDAR survey in Nigeria's Jos Plateau has identified the first known large-scale industrial center dedicated to the production of the iconic Nok terracotta figures. This previously hidden complex, sprawling over 15 hectares, includes dozens of specialized kiln pits and clay-refining basins, suggesting that Nok art was not merely a local craft but a highly organized regional industry dating back to approximately 200 BCE.
Archaeologists from the University of Ibadan, working with international partners, discovered that the site was strategically positioned near high-quality kaolin deposits and ancient watercourses. The mapping revealed a grid-like arrangement of workshops where artisans likely mass-produced ritual objects and architectural ornaments. Excavations at the site have already recovered perfectly preserved terracotta molds and stone polishing tools, providing the first direct evidence of the technical processes used by this sophisticated Iron Age civilization.