Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: Semaphore on 17/09/2016 20:57:43

Title: What kind of civilisations existed in sub-Saharan Africa?
Post by: Semaphore on 17/09/2016 20:57:43

As the title says, what kind of civilisations existed in sub-Saharan Africa in pre-colonial times?

Title: Re: What kind of civilisations existed in sub-Saharan Africa?
Post by: evan_au on 18/09/2016 12:08:22

You could start here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_kingdoms_in_pre-colonial_Africa

Are you looking for something in particular?

Title: Re: What kind of civilisations existed in sub-Saharan Africa?
Post by: Semaphore on 18/09/2016 14:39:34

Thanks for that. I see that many of them are actually in North Africa and the Nile valley. It struck me that there are well-documented civilisations in many parts of the world, China and other parts of Asia, ME and North Africa, Europe and Central and South America, but little seems to be known about Southern Africa.

Title: Re: What kind of civilisations existed in sub-Saharan Africa?
Post by: saspinski on 18/09/2016 20:26:49

See "Iron metallurgy in Africa" in wikipedia.

The cultural and technological shock felt by the Americans when the Europeans arrived in the 16th century  also (probably) happened for the Africans. But much earlier, when people knowing iron making technology started spreading across sub-Saharan Africa.

When the europeans arrived, the African kingdoms were stronger than their American equivalents, like Mexicans and Incas.

They were only fully conquered by XIX century European nations and their advanced weaponry.