Gidan Makama was built in the 15th century, the building first served as Palace of the Emir of Kano before it was converted to a museum in 1953. Gidan Makama Museum is home to impressive collections of Kanawa civilization, these collections includes the over 500 years old gates of ancient Kano history, archaeological findings from the late stone age and early iron age, and the British canon from the invasion in 1903. The museum is located in Kano city, opposite the present Palace of the Emir 'Gidan Rumfa'.