Bura culture

More specifically, the Iron Age civilization exemplified by the Bura culture was centered in the southwest portion of modern-day Niger and in the southeast part of contemporary Burkina Faso (formerly known as Upper Volta).

[1] Iron industry, in both smelting and forging for tools and weapons, had developed in West Africa by 1200 BC.

But very little is precisely understood about this "shadowy" and "mysterious" civilization and its culture because it was discovered only a few decades ago in 1975; and it was not until 1983 that the first archeological excavation was commenced.

[3] Along with nearby terracotta jars used in ritual sacrifice, hooked arrowheads made of iron were also found.

[4] Within the region of the Niger River basin, the Bura culture produced the earliest terracotta equestrian statuettes.