page_title: Fourth German Inner Africa Research Expedition
section_title: Expedition
hierarchical_section_title: Fourth German Inner Africa Research Expedition / Expedition
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Menschlicher Kopf, Ife, Südwestnigeria, Terrakotta, 12.–15. Jh.; Afrikaabteilung, Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin, Inv. Nr. III C 27527 (Sammlung Leo Frobenius, erworben 1913) English: Human head, Ife people, South West Nigeria; terracotta, 12th–15th century AD; Africa department, Ethnological Museum, Berlin, Germany, Inv. No. III C 27527 (collection Leo Frobenius, acquired in 1913)
context_page_description: The Fourth German Inner Africa Research Expedition was carried out in Nigeria and Cameroon between 1910 and 1912 under the leadership of ethnographer Leo Frobenius. Frobenius carried out archaeological excavations at the ancient Yoruba city of Ife in Nigeria and published his findings in twelve volumes between 1921 and 1928. Frobenius theorised that the intricate bronze and terracotta sculptures he discovered at Ife were relics from the mythological city of Atlantis. However, later research has shown them to be the work of 12th-15th century AD Yoruba craftsmen.
context_section_description: Frobenius led the fourth German Inner Africa Research Expedition to Nigeria and Cameroon between 1910 and 1912.  This is referred to in some sources as his third expedition.  This expedition was one of the first serious archaeological investigations of Ife, an ancient Yoruba city in Nigeria, and also carried out an anthropological study of the Yoruba people.  The expedition arrived at Ife on 29 November 1910 and spent three weeks there studying the archaeological remains. Frobenius returned to Germany in early 1912 and spent just three days at home in the Tyrol with his wife, daughter and brother before leaving for his fifth expedition.
caption: A terracotta head recovered during this expedition
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