The continued interest in the history of the Benin Bronzes has resurrected interest in the history and archaeology of the Benin state. Prior to the last few years, a vast majority of what was known about the archaeology of Benin was documented by Graham Connah. The processes that influenced or led to the formation of the Benin state are relatively unknown. The role of the Benin Moat System (reputed as the largest earthwork on earth constructed during prehistoric times) and the relationship between different entities that are related to the Benin state all remain in the dark. This presentation presents a human ecological approach to understanding the implications of environmental changes, especially those preceding, during and immediately after the Little Ice Age, with a focus on the commerce and political economy of one of the entities that is believed to have played a role in the emergence of the Benin State. This research presents the first archaeological and human ecological data outside of Benin City. It includes human ecological data from Okomu and preliminary archaeological data from within the area enclosed by Udo Moat which is a part of the Benin Moat System.