Early Civilizations of Africa

Hatshepsut Major ruler of Egypt who wanted to be remembered Wanted to carve a record of her deeds on the sides of the temple Allows archeologists to know that early African people’s were connected Gives evidence of trade and cultural diffusion

Hatshepsut’s Temple

Tracking the Evidence: Olduvai Gorge Located on the edge of the Great Rift Valley in Tanzania Site of a major anthropological discovery by Mary and Louis Leakey 2 million year old bone fragments that belonged to one of the earliest ancestors of humans Anthropologists and Archeologists study the remains of ancient peoples to learn how they lived We still do not know a lot about the earliest peoples

Records on Stone Rock paintings have been found from South Africa to the Sahara Left behind by ancient peoples they allow us to learn about them They show tools, weapons and hunting and gathering techniques This evidence allows us to understand how they lived Ex: Imagine 500 years from now what someone would learn from the things in your room

Saharan Rock Art Shows animals and people living together Woman are carrying large packages on their heads The Sahara was wetter and had lakes, rivers and grass at one point Arrowheads, fish hooks and cattle bones show that the area has changed Why do you think this happened?

Nile Valley Civilization Formed when hunters and gathers learned to farm and settled by a constant water source Developed in the Nile Valley about 7000 years ago About 3000 B.C.E powerful rulers emerged and were called Pharaohs Over time they built the power and wealth of the Egyptians Main part of their rule was through trade and conquest

Religion and Government of Egypt Religion – Egyptians were polytheistic and believed in many gods – Chief god was Amon- Re (God of the Sun) – Osiris- god of the underworld and Nile – Isis- Wife of Osiris Strong belief in life after death Reason for pyramids and tombs Government – Pharaohs were viewed as gods descended from Amon-Re – Total power over the lives of the people – Priests and Nobles helped the Pharaoh’s run Egypt – Priests conducted ceremonies to please the gods – Taxes were paid in grain and other goods

Connecting Geography and Religion Use the story on page for the following activity Find a partner and get a spot around the room Read the “Up Close” story about the gift of the Nile On a piece of paper answer the questions about the story This is a graded assignment Questions: – 1.) Explain what the Nile River does and how it helped the people of Egypt. – 2.) Read over the hymn that is sung and tell me how it connects geography and religion. – 3.) Explain the three specific seasons that the story talks about. – 4.) Answer this LEQ: How did geography and location impact the early people of Africa?

Egyptian Achievements Huge amount of ruins and artifacts were left behind by the Egyptians System of writing called Hieroglyphics that used pictures and symbols Decorated the walls of pyramids and temples with pictures and hieroglyphics This tells us about their beliefs, knowledge and everyday lives 365 day calendar was created Mathematicians were able to survey the land after floods Egyptian doctors studied the human body

Kingdom of Kush Trade and warriors moved up and down the Nile River between Egypt and its neighbors Kingdom of Kush under King Kastha conquered the Nile Valley in 750 B.C Kushite control of the Nile Valley ended when the Assyrian Empire took over the Nile Valley Kush still remained strong and built a new capital Meroe further down the banks of the Nile Eventually the Kushites replaced the Egyptian gods with their own gods

Wealth and Growth of Kush Adapted Egyptian Alphabet and made it their own Large amounts of Iron Ore in the ground allowed them to make weapons Trade networks with Egypt and the Mediterranean World Kush lasted for 1000 years before it ended through invasions by foreigners Question: What cultural elements did Kush borrow from Egypt.

Kingdom of Axum As Kush was falling down Axum developed in the plateaus of Ethiopia Important trade center for Ancient Africa Traded in: spices, gems, and ivory Traded to Egypt, Arabia and South Asia 350 A.D King Ezna conquered Kush Converted to Christianity and withstood the rapid growth of Islam Ethiopian Christian Church survives today Have their own language called Geez