I hope this this post finds all of our readers well and beginning a great start to 2012!

If you are interested in ancient art–especially ancient African art–you should check out this news article from NewScientist. Drs. Nicole Rupp and Peter Breunig of the Goethe University Frankfurt have uncovered startling “terracotta heads” in Central Nigeria. Over 2.000 years old, these sculptures demonstrate the artistic creativity and sophistication of the Nok people. It is now widely believed that the Nok were the first Africans to smelt iron. Please read more about this unique discovery by clicking here.