Casting new light on the Lower Niger Bronzes, Nigeria

A curatorial and scientific investigation

Bibliographic Data

ID19488656
AuthorsAlessandro Armigliato (0009-0009-7133-1441, British Museum, corresponding author), Laura Perucchetti (0000-0003-2881-4295, Museum of London Archaeology), Julie Hudson (0000-0001-7837-9354, British Museum), Imogen Coulson (0009-0001-5634-4967, University of Amsterdam), Abidemi Babatunde Babalola (0009-0002-9634-1346, Museum of London Archaeology)
Year2026
Volume73
Pages105823
Publication date2026-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Archaeological Science Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2352-409X • E-ISSN: 2352-4103
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105823
OpenAlexW7164386087
LanguageEN
References cited24

The southern Nigerian copper-alloy collections cared for by the British Museum include artefacts from well-known centres – Benin, Ife, Igbo-Ukwu – and a lesser-studied group, the so-called Lower Niger Bronzes (LNBs). Spanning the 10th–19th centuries CE, LNBs likely originate from multiple Niger Delta casting centres but remain relatively unknown outside scholarly circles due to limited object history documentation and scientific analysis. This study focuses on 40 bells—the collection’s most numerous category—using digital microscopy, XRF, and X-radiography to investigate alloy composition, production techniques, and interregional connections. Results reveal a heterogeneous assemblage shaped by diverse alloy recipes and metallurgical traditions, including the incorporation of zinc-bearing alloys. Certain forms, such as Inverted Tulip and Horn Head bells, show coherent metallurgical patterns, suggesting distinct production choices/strategies. By integrating compositional data with typology, curatorial research, and legacy data, this study establishes a framework for refining object attributions and reconstructing artefacts “life histories”. These findings provide new insights into the technological, cultural, and regional dynamics of southern Nigerian copper-alloy production and highlight the complex interconnections between local, regional, and global trade networks, offering a foundation for future interdisciplinary research

Casting · Scientific discovery · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis · Mineralogy and Gemology Studies