1. Africa to 1000 AD

3. 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

4. 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

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

7. Nilotic Africa + Ethiopia
Kingdom of Kush ( 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

8. 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

9. 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

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