Chapter 2: Africa is the birthplace of humankind 1. Pharaohs were rulers of ancient Egypt. The lived off of taxes. Their lives were luxurious while the citizens often lived in misery. Some pharaohs were thought to have become gods. 2. Hieroglyphs were early documents that explained daily life. These were painted on stone and walls. 3. Olduvai Gorge was a place in Tanzania with the earliest evidence of humans Homo Habilis were the first human species to use stone tools 2.5 million years ago. 4. Homo Sapiens is the correct name for our own species.

5. Kalahari San is a hunter-gatherer tribe in the Kalahari desert in Botswana that are studied by scientists today to provide information about what life may have been like during the stone age. 6. Bantu Expansion- Bantu Speaking people migrated from around Cameroon east to Zaire (DR Congo) and to southern Africa. They expanded to support a growing population. Many Bantu culture remain intact. See pull down map. 7. Kush-In 751 BC, Kush conquered Egypt. It became a centre for trade around the Nile, Red Sea and Africa south of the Sahara. 8. Meroe- Capital of Kush. Strong and distinct religion, writing, trade. Its success led to its downfall (environment). 9. Axum- As Kush declined Axum arose. It flourished in trade and turned to Christianity around 340 A.D.

Questions Why is Africa considered the cradle of humanity? The first humans were thought to have originated here. Each of us has ancestors in Africa if you go back far enough. Homo Habilis are the first human species. How did agriculture bring changes to the African hunting and gathering communities? It took over from hunting and gathering in the new stone age. This allowed people to become sedentary because they could now live in one place with a dependable food supply. Any surplus could be traded for items that couldn’t be grown. How did iron help Bantu-speaking people? Iron allowed the Bantu to grow much more food and therefore feed greater numbers of people. Towns and villages began to spring up. This created community which fostered an expansion of ideas and of society.

What led to the creation of kingdoms in the Nile Valley? The process of agricultural growth, urbanization, and larger political units led to the creation of kingdoms along the Nile valley. What made Meroe successful? Meroe was successful because of its location near iron ore and timber. These were widely used and thus made Meroe powerful. Its location was also well adapted to successful trading. The use of written script would advance a society as well. What led to the decline of Axum? Islam was growing and forced a retreat of Christian Axum. Why is the exploitation of the environment detrimental? (wood supply) Critical thinking…