It would seem, therefore, that this culture at least antedates the coming of the Portuguese and the Arab influence in this part of West Africa. To state definitely its place of origin, or the exact date of its origin, is at present, however, impossible, because of the relatively small amount of scientific work and study carried out in this part of the Continent. But in spite of this sufficient evidence is already available to warrant the opinion on the part of all the critics previously referred to that this culture is essentially African in origin and very, very old. Frobenius is convinced that it is at least pre-classical and pre-Christian in its beginning. Such, then, and until now, is the character of the material culture of this restricted spot of Black Africa. What the future will bring let the future tell, but of this let the present be convinced: that at least this part of Black Africa is _not_ "beyond the reach of interest in the history of the world; always in a state of apathy asleep to progress and dreaming its day away." And of this may the present be ever sure that Black Africa is _not_ "a continent which has no mystery, nor history!" WILLIAM LEO HANSBERRY. FOOTNOTES: [1] Quoted by Leo Frobenius, _Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, p. 1. [2] H. Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 217. [3] _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, February, 1898, p. 371. [4] F. L. Lugard, _A Tropical Dependency_, p. 154. [5] Lugard, _A Tropical Dependency_, p. 154. [6] Translated into English by Rudolf Blind. Published by Hutchinson and Company, London, 1913. [7] Old Dutch and Portuguese manuscripts have been collected and studied by Ling Roth and the findings appear in his _Great Benin_ quoted in this paper. [8] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 157. [9] Dr. Olfert Dapper, "Nauwkeurige. Beschrijvenge der Afrikansche Geweslen." (As listed and quoted by Ling Roth, in _Great Benin_.) [10] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 2. [11] _The Benin Massacre_, p. 81. [12] Quoted by Roth in _Great Benin_, p. 161. [13] _Ibid._, p. 162. [14] _Ibid._, p. 163. [15] Leo Frobenius, _Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, pp. 21-25. [15a] Leo Frobenius, _Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, pp. 21-25. [16] _Le Plateau Central Nigerien_, Paris, 1907. [17] Frobenius, _Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, p. 25. [18] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 193. [19] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 196. [20] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 205. [21] _Ibid._, p. 209. [22] Ling Roth, _Great Benin_, p. 209. [23] Frobenius, _Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, p. 297. [24] _Ibid._ [25] _Ibid._, p. 302. [26] Frobenius, _The Voice of Africa_, Vol. 1, p. 305. [27] Frobenius, _The Voice of Africa_, p. 305. [28] _Ibid._, p. 105. [29] E. A. W. Budge, _The Egyptian Sudan_, Vol. 1, p. 526. [30] Fawckner, _Travels on the Coast of Benin_, London, 1837, p. 32. [31] A. B. Ellis, _A History of the Gold Coast_, p. 9. [32] Bowdich, _Mission to Coomassee_, p. 218. Quoted by Ellis.