Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations to 600 B.C.E

Early African Societies

Early Agricultural Society in AfricaEgypt and Nubia formed complex societies

based on agricultural and domestication of animals.

Formed somewhat simultaneously.Egypt – Trade with eastern Mediterranean

and southwest Asian peoples.Nubia – Linked Egypt with the rest of sub-

Saharan Africa.

Climatic Change and the Development of Agriculture in Africa10,000 B.C.E. – Africa mostly a grassy steppe

land with numerous lakes, rivers, and streams… Much different than today.

9000 B.C.E. – 5000 B.C.E. – Sudanic people organized small-scale states based on agriculture and animalsHad small monarchies

5000 B.C.E. – Climate change turns Sahara to a desert.People migrate from Sudan to the Nile River

Valley.

Egypt and Nubia: “Gifts of the Nile”Egypt – Area along the

Nile from south edge of the Mediterranean Sea to Aswan.Extremely fertile because

of Nile floods.Drew many people and

led to complex society based on agriculture.

Nubia – Area along the Nile south of Egypt.Not as fertile but still

good for agricultureBoth experienced big

population growth.

Egypt and NubiaBoth restructured

societies to ensure organization and order due to population growth.

Collaborated with one another to build irrigation systems and trade.

4000 B.C.E. – Neither was unified, but had many rulers.

Unification of EgyptMenes – Man who unified

Egypt around 3100 B.C.E.Memphis became his

capital city and eventually the cultural and political center of Egypt.

Menes’ successors eventually became pharaohs. Pharaohs – Egyptian rulers

who claimed to be gods. P. 64 image. Pharaohs ruled from 3100

B.C.E. – 2160 B.C.E. – Built pyramids as tombs during this time!

Kingdom of KushFrequent tension and

violence between Egypt and Nubia from 3100 B.C.E. to 2160 B.C.E.

Strongest kingdom in Nubia was kingdom of Kush between 3000-2400 B.C.E.

Still traded with one another and interacted frequently.

Turmoil and EmpireBetween 2160-2040 B.C.E. Pharaohs fell from

power, but regained in from 2040-1640 B.C.E.Happened because of smaller states building

agricultural power.Hyksos (horse riding nomads from Southwest

Asia) eventually used chariots and bronze weapons to overthrow Pharaohs and capture Memphis (1674 B.C.E.)

People from upper Egypt eventually recaptured Memphis (1550 B.C.E.)

The New Kingdom1550 – 1070 B.C.E.New Pharaohs led a

series of campaigns throughout Africa to establish their dominance.

By 760 B.C.E. for attackers had over Egypt, however.

Emergence of Cities and Stratified SocietiesKey CitiesThebes

Political CenterHeliopolis

“City of the Sun” (Sacred)Memphis

Egyptian CapitalKush

Nubian Capital

Emergence of Cities and Stratified SocietiesPatriarchal Society –

Men ruled.Social Classes

PharaohsMilitary LeadersTax CollectorsAdministratorsPeasantsSlaves(Not based on birth

(except pharaoh) as it was in Mesopotamia

Economic Specialization and TradeBronze Metallurgy -

EgyptIron Metallurgy -

NubiaTransportation – Use

of the NileTrade Networks –

Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa

Early Writing in the Nile ValleyHieroglyphic Writing –

Pictures and SymbolsEgypt

Meroitic Writing – Similar to HieroglyphicsNubia

Both led to formal education in both places.

The Development of Organized Religious TraditionsGods typically

associated with the sun

Mummification – Process practiced by Egyptian elites to preserve the dead for the afterlife.

Nubian beliefs similar, but slightly different.

Bantu MigrationsBantu – People living in sub-Saharan Africa

speaking the Bantu language.Lived along river banks where they could

farm and raise animals.Clan-based villages headed by chiefs.From 3000 B.C.E. – 1000 B.C.E migrated

south until they occupied most of Africa south of the equator.Used canoes to navigate rivers and move

quickly.

Impact of Bantu MigrationSpread agricultural

and religious practices throughout sub-Saharan Africa.