Das Königreich Benin - von den Anfängen bis 1485

The history of the former Benin Empire, and especially the famous works of art, have found great response by scholars and others ever since it became known to the outside world. Numerous books and articles have been published on the subject, covenng especially the latter aspect. The huge amount of publications was only possible because a rich oral tradition florished, instigated by the royal court. Those traditions have been preserved mainly by the Ute Chief J. U. Egharevba, the well known Benin historian. Other valuable traditions have been recorded for instance by R. E. Bradbury, J. E. Sidahome and M. Jungwirth. Records of European visitors from 1485 on provided a lot of interesting written material, although, somehow overshadowed by commercial interests. The Utter was largely collected by A. F. C. Ryder. Archaeological researches have been carried out on a rather limited scale and the main work was done by G. Connah. Archaeology is actually the weak point, and more fieldwork has to be undertaken to back-up traditions and wntten sources and, possibly, to re-wnte some parts of Benin history. Connah's greatest archievement was, in some people's view, the tracing and mapping of the extensive earthen walls and ditches around Benin City (Connah' s work was supplemented by A. R. Rees's findings north of Benin City). The publication of a map showing the "Benin City Walls" stimulated several people (A. R. Rees, G. K. Maliphant, P. J. Darling, P. M. Roese, and others) to continue researches in other parts of the former Benin Empire. As a result of combined efforts, other extensive wall systems were discovered, and the innermost or "City Wall" was dated (mid 15th C), providing a valuable piece for the chronology of Benin history. Although, it seemed not very promising to take up investigations on the time before written records became available (1485), however, the rich oral traditions which have been preserved under a rather reliable organization and, of course, results of excavations, have been very tempting to start such a venture. The article describes the time up to the year 1485, containing the earliestpenod up to about 900 A. D., the 1st (Ogiso) Dynasty, an Intermediate Period, and the beginnings of the 2nd (Oba) Dynasty. As much data as available was collected and it is hoped that this article stimulates other interested people to do more researches on this fascinating field since only a limited number of articles have been published about the early period