Jump to content

Benin Moat

Coordinates: 6°20′33″N 5°37′13″E / 6.3426°N 5.6204°E / 6.3426; 5.6204
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bkissin (talk | contribs) at 18:00, 25 August 2023 (Bkissin moved page User:Vanderwaalforces/The Benin Moat to Draft:Benin Moat: Preferred location for AfC submissions). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Benin Moat
Native name
Edo language: Iya inè
Benin Moat is located in Nigeria
Benin Moat
Location within Nigeria
Map
TypeDefensive fortification
LocationBenin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Nearest cityBenin City
Coordinates6°20′33″N 5°37′13″E / 6.3426°N 5.6204°E / 6.3426; 5.6204
Area814 acres (329 ha)
Elevation150 feet 1 inch (45.75 m)
HeightVaries (approximately 18 meters)
LengthApproximately 16,000 kilometers
Built13th century
Built byEdo people
TypeCultural
Criteriaii,iii,iv,v
Designated1995
Reference no.488

The Benin Moat, known locally as Iya inè, is a historic defensive fortification located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Built by the Edo people in the 13th century, this intricate system of earthworks encompasses an area of approximately 2,510 square kilometers and encircles the old city of Benin.[1] The moat served both defensive and symbolic purposes, safeguarding the city from external threats and signifying the political and cultural significance of the Edo kingdom.[2][3][4]

History

The construction of the Benin Moat began around the 13th century under the reign of the Edo king Oba Oguola.[5][6] It continued to be expanded and reinforced by successive rulers, eventually becoming one of the largest man-made earthworks in the world.[7][8] The moat system served as a formidable defensive structure during times of conflict, effectively protecting the city from invasions.[9][10][11]

Design and significance

The Benin Moat consists of a network of ditches and embankments that stretch approximately 16,000 kilometers in total length.[12][13] The width of the moat varies, with an approximate width of 50 meters, and the height of the embankments is around 18 meters.[14][15] The moat not only functioned as a physical barrier against attackers but also played a crucial role in delineating the urban boundaries of the city.[16][17]

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1995, the Benin Moat was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Cultural Site #488).[18] This recognition highlights the historical and cultural significance of the moat in representing the architectural and engineering achievements of the Edo people.

References

  1. ^ "Untold story of Benin moat going extinct - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  2. ^ "Benin Moat Edo State :: Nigeria Information & Guide". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  3. ^ Koutonin, Mawuna (2016-03-18). "Story of cities #5: Benin City, the mighty medieval capital now lost without trace". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  4. ^ Connah, Graham (1967). "New Light on the Benin City Walls". Journal of the Historical Society of Nigeria. 3 (4): 593–609. ISSN 0018-2540.
  5. ^ "Benin City's Moat System". ArcGIS StoryMaps. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  6. ^ Daerego, Mary M. K. (2020-08-06). "GRANDEUR OF THE BENIN MOAT (ancient Benin civilization)". Observe Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  7. ^ Affairs, Edo (2023-02-21). "The Benin Moat - Largest Man Made Earthworks". Edoaffairs. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  8. ^ Trammell, Victor (2020-09-20). "Pre-Colonial Africa's Benin Moat Was Much Wider & Longer Than China's Great Wall". Black Then. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  9. ^ Bright, Ofunim Nkem (2018-07-05). "The Benin Moat". Make Heritage Fun!. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  10. ^ "The Benin Moat". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  11. ^ Reporter, Our (2021-06-16). "Benin's ancient moat wall turned dumpsite". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  12. ^ Readman, Kurt (2022-01-17). "Mysterious and Massive: Who Built the Walls of Benin?". Historic Mysteries. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  13. ^ Team, Editorial (2018-11-19). "The Ancient Walls of Benin: 16,000 Kilometres (800AD-14th Century)". Think Africa. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  14. ^ "Benin Moat: Amazing legacy of great people". The Nation Nigeria. May 21, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  15. ^ Jonathan (2021-02-28). "The Great Wall of Benin | SchoolForAfrica.org — Giving Children a Fighting Chance". SchoolForAfrica.org. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  16. ^ "Int’l Day for Monuments and Sites: Obaseki assures on reclamation, preservation of Benin Moat, others - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  17. ^ "The Kingdom of Benin". BBC Bitesize. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  18. ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Benin Iya / Sungbo' s Eredo". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2023-08-25.

Category:Archaeological sites in Nigeria Category:World Heritage Sites in Nigeria Category:Fortifications in Africa

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benin_Moat&oldid=1172217494"