Old Oyo

Old Oyo, also known as Oyo-Ile, was the capital of the medieval Oyo Empire in present-day Nigeria. It was a major cultural and political center in West Africa, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. The city was organized around a large central palace, known as the Aafin, and featured extensive defensive walls and markets, such as the significant Akesan market. The presence of reservoirs and wells highlights the city's water management strategies. The site has revealed features like walls, pottery, and grindstones, shedding light on the Yoruba civilization's social, economic, and technological aspects. Archaeological evidence indicates the city's establishment by Yoruba groups migrating from Ile-Ife, and it was abandoned in 1835 due to Fulani attacks.