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The Benin Kingdom, as described by Egharevba (1960), was a circular city organized with nine streets radiating outward from the center. This layout divided the city into distinct segments, reflecting its sociopolitical and cultural structure. Surrounding the city were three concentric earthworks, constructed at different points in history: in 1280, 1290, and 1460 A.D., respectively. These earthworks formed rings around the city, demarcating its different zones.
The innermost ring, referred to as the core, encircled the Oba's (King’s) palace, which served as the central hub of power and authority. The intermediate zone was occupied by chiefs, their dependents, and other high-ranking court officials. This area signified the proximity of these individuals to the royal household and their elevated status within the societal hierarchy. Beyond this, the outer zone was inhabited by non-royals and the migrant population, reflecting a more diverse and less stratified social composition.
Archaeological studies, including those by Connah (1967) and Darling (1973), have provided crucial insights into the construction and dimensions of the Benin earthworks. These studies revealed that the walls reached impressive heights of up to 20 meters, with thicknesses ranging from 3 to 6 meters, and spanned a length of approximately 16,000 kilometers. These details not only underscore the monumental scale of the earthworks but also contributed significantly to the refinement of my text prompts.