Benin art was discovered in

British soldiers discovered Benin art in 1897 in a courtyard during their invasion. The bronze plaques and sculptures were found stored in palace courtyards.

These artworks had been removed from palace walls and stored in open courtyards. The discovery revealed centuries of sophisticated bronze casting in the Benin Kingdom.

The courtyard location of this discovery is historically documented. The bronzes found there are now displayed in museums worldwide.