Intro to ancient Africa

1. Intro to ancient Africa “The birthplace of the human race”

2. Oldest human remains have been found in Africa

3. Africa’s Beginning… • 5000 BCE—Sahara was a grassland site for HUNTING, FISHING, and FARMING COMMUNITIES

4. 4000 BCE—Africa’s climate became drier. • This caused people to move SOUTHWARD to look for water • The dry air caused the Sahara area to become a DESERT

5. 1350 BCE—Aksum defeated Kush

6. Controlled TRADING ROUTES that connected Africa and Europe • The Aksum Empire was influenced by trade with the ROMAN EMPIRE— so they embraced Christianity

7. WEST AFRICA • Traders crossed the Sahara to exchange SALT and COPPER for west Africa’s GOLD and KOLA NUTS • In West Africa—GHANA, MALI, SONGHAI grew wealthy kingdoms • These kingdoms were located just SOUTH of the TRANS-SAHARA route and became major trade centers

8. Copper and salt moved WEST copper Gold and kola nuts moved EAST gold salt Kola nuts

9. Africa’s 5 Regions • Africa is the 2nd largest continent next to Asia • Lies in every HEMISPHERE • HAS A VARIETY OF CLIMATE ZONES • HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF MINERAL SOURCES

11. AFRICA IS DIVIDED INTO 5 PHYSICAL REGIONS • AFRICA HAS A SERIES OF 8 PLATEAUS NORTH: Sahara desert, Nile River delta, Atlas Mts. --excellent farmland

12. WEST: Sahel---semi dry area --rich in mineral resources-oil and mining

13. CENTRAL: rainforest—tropical jungles • rainforest animals Most endangered animals

14. EAST: Rift Valley—a sunken valley Serengeti—tall grass lands were animals inhabit • Lake Victoria—2nd largest fresh water lake

15. SOUTH: • Desert lands—Kalahari and Namid • Swamp lands—Okavango Delta Okavango Delta Namid sand dune