1. Chapter 3 and 4 Early civilizations of Africa and Trading States and Kingdoms

2. Discoveries at Olduvai near Tanzania (in the Great Rift Valley) suggest that Africa was home to the first people.

3. By 3000BC, powerful rulers emerged and united the villages along the Nile. Ancient rulers of Egypt were called pharaohs. The pharaohs expanded Egypt into a great empire. Trade and conquest allowed cultural diffusion.

4. Achievements of Egyptian Civ: huge monuments, the 365-day calendar, land surveys, hieroglyphics, and surgery.

5. The Kingdom of Kush 750BC: King Kastha of the Kush conquered the Nile Valley and Egypt.. Kush built Meroe (new capital) on the Nile and kept Egyptian practices. They adapted their own language and learned to use iron.

6. The Kingdom of Axum developed on the high plateaus of Ethiopia. King Ezana of Axum conquered Kush. He had converted to Christianity. Later when Islam spread, Axum was cut off from other Christians, yet the Ethiopian Christians survived.

7. The Gold-Salt Trade: Trade route from the Middle East to North Africa; to the savanna lands of West Africa, crossing through the Sahara. At Taghaza in the Sahara they exchanged gold for salt. West Africa became strong and cities along the trade route grew.

8. Musa adopted Islam. His law was based upon the Koran. He made a pilgrimage to Mecca, earning himself worldwide fame and respect. Mansa Musa- ruled from 1312-1337. Captured Taghaza and its salt mines. Used his power to maintain peace and order.

9. The Forest Kingdom of Benin- developed near delta of Niger River, and controlled trade in the area. Ewuare (Benin’s ruler) captured 201 towns and made them pay tribute before settling up a central government. Benin City was a center of industry with craft workers using brass, wood and ivory.

10. Zimbabwe- a large kingdom powered by gold mines. Unity was imposed over diversity. Expert builders made stone houses and buildings without mortar. They stand for centuries.