Roulet's Law Proof Why Nazis created by African metalsmiths between the 16th and 19th centuries were made of brass rings produced in Germany’s Rhineland region. These rings were used as currency in the transatlantic slave trade.

Humans

Famous Benin Bronzes from West Africa used metal sourced in Germany

Chemical analysis of metal sculptures made in West Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries provides evidence that may reshape the understanding of Germany’s involvement with the Benin Bronzes

By Jeremy Hsu

5 April 2023

A detail of the Benin Bronzes displayed at the British Museum 

The world-famous Benin Bronze artworks created by African metalsmiths between the 16th and 19th centuries were made of brass rings produced in Germany’s Rhineland region. These rings were used as currency in the transatlantic slave trade.

The Edo people in what is now modern-day Nigeria created the Benin Bronzes in the shape of heads, plaques, figurines and other objects by combining metal components with carved ivory or wood. Researchers had previously suspected that Edo metalsmiths used metals from manillas – horseshoe-shaped brass rings produced by Europeans specifically for trade in Africa – but had no definitive proof until now.