Early Centres of Civilization: JAMB History Questions, Answers & Notes

What Early Centres of Civilization covers in the JAMB History syllabus

The Nigeria area had advanced cultures long before European contact. The Nok culture, in the central Nigeria area around the Jos Plateau, is one of the earliest known and is famous for terracotta (fired-clay) sculptures and evidence of early iron working. Igbo-Ukwu produced finely made bronze objects and glass beads (showing trade links). Ife is renowned for its naturalistic heads and figures in bronze and terracotta, believed to represent rulers (Oonis) or important persons, and its art is widely thought to have influenced Benin. Benin is famous for bronze heads and plaques recording court and royal life. The Ife and Benin bronzes were cast by the lost-wax (cire perdue) method, showing high artistic and technical skill. Archaeology helps reveal these cultures through their remains. They are a source of pride and heritage. The main point: advanced cultures existed in the Nigeria area very early.

For Early Centres of Civilization, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Identify Nok (terracotta, early iron working), Igbo-Ukwu (bronze, glass beads), Ife and Benin (naturalistic bronzes)
• Recall the lost-wax casting method and what the works depict
• State that advanced cultures existed in the Nigeria area long before European contact

Key facts & revision notes: Early Centres of Civilization

These are the recurring points our Early Centres of Civilization questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• The Nok culture is famous for its terracotta (fired clay) sculptures.
• Nok flourished in the central Nigeria area, around the Jos Plateau region.
• Nok is one of the earliest known cultures of the Nigeria area.
• Igbo-Ukwu is famous for finely made bronze objects.
• Ife is renowned for naturalistic heads and figures in bronze and terracotta.
• The bronzes were cast by the lost-wax (cire perdue) method.
• Benin is famous for its bronze heads and plaques adorning the royal palace.
• The works show a high level of artistic and technical skill.
• Nok terracottas were made of fired clay.
• Early iron-working evidence is associated with the Nok culture.
• The Ife heads are believed to represent rulers (Oonis) or important persons.
• They show advanced cultures existed in the Nigeria area long before European contact.
• Igbo-Ukwu finds included bronze objects and glass beads, showing trade links.
• Ife art is widely believed to have influenced the development of Benin art.
• Archaeology helps us learn about these early/ancient cultures through their remains.
• Benin plaques recorded scenes of court and royal life.
• The Nok culture is famous for terracotta.
• They are a source of pride and cultural heritage for the peoples of the Nigeria area.
• Bronze casting requires high skill in working with metal.
• The main point is that the Nigeria area had advanced cultures (Nok, Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Benin) very early.

Worked examples

Three Early Centres of Civilization questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Early Centres of Civilization is tested in JAMB History

Our Early Centres of Civilization bank holds 20 questions (1 easy, 13 medium, 6 hard). JAMB History typically returns to Early Centres of Civilization year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Early Centres of Civilization questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Early Centres of Civilization. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one History item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Early Centres of Civilization is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Early Centres of Civilization

The errors that cost marks on Early Centres of Civilization are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Early Centres of Civilization actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Early Centres of Civilization part of the JAMB History syllabus?

Yes. Early Centres of Civilization is a recognised topic in the JAMB History syllabus, covering identify Nok (terracotta, early iron working), Igbo-Ukwu (bronze, glass beads), Ife and Benin (naturalistic bronzes). You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Early Centres of Civilization questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 20 original, JAMB-standard Early Centres of Civilization questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Early Centres of Civilization?

The Nigeria area had advanced cultures long before European contact. The Nok culture, in the central Nigeria area around the Jos Plateau, is one of the earliest known and is famous for terracotta (fired-clay) sculptures and evidence of early iron working. Igbo-Ukwu produced finely made bronze object…

How do I answer Early Centres of Civilization questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Early Centres of Civilization. Practising timed Early Centres of Civilization questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB History Early Centres of Civilization questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Early Centres of Civilization questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Early Centres of Civilization practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME History syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.