Africa to 1000 AD

African Climate The Equator is the hottest and wettest Savannah flanks it north and south Then Sahel (semi-desert) and Steppe Then Deserts Then ‘Mediterranean Climates’ Rain is irregular, soil is poor

African Peoples Humanity Arises in Africa 3000 or more languages in 4 families Northern Africa, Sahara, Egypt: Mainly Caucasians Rest of Africa: Negro But remember ‘Race’ is a modern concept, not an ancient one

The Sahara and Sudan to 1 AD Early Sahara was a grassland with forests and rivers until 2500 BC Dries 2500-1500 BC Neolithic Sudan Culture Early Iron Age--Nok Culture (900 BC to 200 AD)

Nilotic Africa + Ethiopia Kingdom of Kush (1700-1500 BC) Napatan Empire (10th-4th century BC) Rule Egypt in 8th-7th century BC Meroitic Empire (591 BC - 4th C. AD) Trade Middleman for African Goods Ruled by a Divine King and Customary Law Egyptian Style Worship

Aksumite Empire (1st to 9th century AD) Based in the Highlands Mix of African and Semitic Cultures Port of Adulis controls NE African trade Ruled by a King of Kings over Tribute States Polytheistic Pagans until 4th Century AD Became Monophysite Christians in 5th century AD

West to Central Sudan By 1st Century AD, settled farmers live in villages Rising Trade connects Sahel to North Africa The Camel Facilitates trade Powerful states arise

Central, South, East Africa Source Problems The Spread of the 400 language Bantu by 1000 AD East Africa: Formation of Swahili Culture