The Ancient Kingdoms of Southern Bénin (ex-Dahomey).

Bénin. 10 years’ of archaeological field-work in Bénin, mainly the southern part of the country, is recently completed with a major double monograph, “Bénin Archaeology: The Ancient Kingdoms” 1-2, Oxford (Blackwell-Wiley) 2009. In this, a full cultural sequence across the first millennium BC and the first and the second millennium AD is outlined, even though a particular stress has been on the Kingdom of Dahomey (caves/souterrains, graves, palaces, etc.). Settlements and shrines of earlier periods have also been uncovered. Important stages in ancient iron production are outlined, from the 12th to the early 16th century AD on a truly industrial scale, reflecting the procurement of millions of kilograms of raw-iron, likely for export.