A Monumental Achievement
Nestled in what is now Edo State, the walls of Benin (constructed between 800 and 1400 AD) are renowned as the longest ancient earthworks globally and one of the largest man-made structures ever created. This majestic construction is a testament to the ingenuity and determination of the Edo people.
The Extensive Earthworks
The walls, known locally as Iya, encompass an impressive 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) within the city and stretch an astonishing 16,000 kilometers (9,900 miles) into the rural surroundings. At the time of their construction, these walls were believed to be twice the length of the Great Wall of China. However, a comprehensive survey conducted in 2012 confirmed the Great Wall’s length at approximately 21,000 kilometers.
Theories of Construction
The exact timeline of the walls’ construction remains a topic of debate among historians. Scholar Graham Connah suggests they may have been built between the 13th and mid-15th centuries CE, while Patrick Darling posits a much earlier creation during the first millennium CE. Built using a sophisticated ditch and dike system, the walls were formed by deep excavations, with the earth removed used to create towering ramparts.
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The Legacy Left Behind
Sadly, much of the walls were destroyed by British forces during the punitive expedition of 1897. Today, only fragments remain, and these remnants are often repurposed by locals for new constructions. As noted by Fred Pearce in New Scientist, “They extend for some 16,000 km in all, in a mosaic of more than 500 interconnected settlement boundaries,” highlighting the sheer scale and complexity of this monumental achievement.
An Architectural Marvel
The engineering of the walls is further explored through the lens of mathematics by ethnic mathematician Ron Eglash, who revealed that the city was designed using intricate fractal patterns. This advanced level of planning was often overlooked by early European colonizers, who dismissed it as primitive, failing to recognize an architectural sophistication beyond their comprehension.
Moreover, the Guinness Book of Records acknowledged the walls in its 1974 edition as “the world’s largest earthworks before the mechanical era.” Benin City also made strides in urban innovation, showcasing early forms of street lighting with tall, metal lamps adorning its streets.
The walls of Benin stand not just as a remnant of the past but as a powerful symbol of the rich history and complex society of the Edo people, deserving recognition and appreciation as one of humanity’s most extraordinary architectural feats.
