Unveiling the tale of a forgotten medieval city, let me transport you to the enchanting realm of Benin City, once known as Edo, which proudly served as the capital of a pre-colonial African empire in what we now recognize as southern Nigeria. As history unfolds, the Benin Empire emerges as one of the oldest and most advanced states in West Africa, tracing its origins back to the 11th century.

The walls encircling Benin City and its surrounding kingdom, celebrated in the Guinness Book of Records, stand as a testament to human ingenuity. They are hailed as the largest earthworks ever constructed prior to the advent of mechanical engineering.

Astonishingly, these walls, at their zenith, stretched "four times longer than the Great Wall of China" and required a hundred times more material than the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

A sprawling plain housed Benin City, safeguarded by immense walls to the south and fortified by deep ditches to the north. Beyond these protective ramparts, an intricate network of additional walls emerged, fragmenting the capital's environs into approximately 500 distinct villages.

Benin City distinguished itself as a beacon of innovation, even among its contemporaries. It was one of the earliest urban centers to bask in the glow of street lighting. Towering metal lamps, rising several feet in height, adorned the cityscape, particularly in the vicinity of the royal palace. Fueled by palm oil, these majestic illuminators kindled their wicks at night, casting a radiant glow upon the thoroughfares, guiding the steady flow of traffic to and from the regal domain.

Yet, alas, the grandeur of Benin City succumbed to the ravages of time, plunging into the depths of historical obscurity. The city's decline commenced in the 15th century, a result of internal conflicts intricately entwined with the encroaching presence of European powers and the devastating slave trade along the borders of the Benin Empire.

The final blow struck in 1897 when British forces descended upon the city, obliterating its very essence. Looted, razed, and consumed by flames, Benin City was reduced to ashes, leaving behind mere fragments of its former glory.

Let us reflect upon this lost treasure, a testament to the resilience of a civilization eclipsed by the passage of time. May the memory of Benin City forever remind us of its vibrant past and inspire us to safeguard the legacy of ancient civilizations, honoring their contributions to our shared human tapestry.