<P> In central Nigeria, around 1000 BCE, the Nok culture developed on the Jos Plateau, until it vanished under unknown circumstances by 200 or 300 CE . It was a highly centralised community . The Nok people produced miniature, lifelike representations in terracotta, including human heads, elephants, and other animals . Iron use, in smelting and forging for tools, appears in Nok culture in Africa at least by 550 BC and possibly earlier, prior to 1000 BC . </P> <P> Based on stylistic similarities with the Nok terracottas, the bronze figurines of the Yoruba kingdom of Ife and the Bini kingdom of Benin are now believed to be continuations of the traditions of the earlier Nokite culture . </P> <P> The prehistoric and ancient history of the Serer people of modern - day Senegambia has been extensively studied and documented over the years . Much of it comes from archaeological discoveries and Serer tradition rooted in the Serer religion . </P> <P> Material relics were found in different Serer countries, most of which refer to the past origins of Serer families, villages and Serer Kingdoms, some of these Serer relics included gold, silver and metals . </P>

Population growth and cultural development in west africa