Ancient Africa

Egyptians, Circa 3000 BCE Had religion, culture, science, agriculture & astronomy present Used captives of warfare as slaves— BONDAGE WAS NOT TIED TO A SKIN COLOR (evidence of very dark skinned pharaohs represented in hierogylphics)

Carthage, Circa 711 CE (North Africa) Islamic – Changes the matrilineal societies prevalent to patrilineal societies that are also polygamous Libraries, literature, schools Control most of the trade in the Mediterranean and the World

Nubia (Kush), Ethiopia Important dynamics in relations between them and the Egyptians (particularly in the capturing of one another for slaves) Later a center for Christianity and does have some Islamic influences

West Africa, Ghana and Mali Excellent metal workers – Created and used 2 types of furnaces Leather, cloth, wood, copper, brass, gold, silver Social classes evident (merchants being at the top)

Elements Found In All Societies Governments that taxed Standing armies Slaves – Used as domestics, soldiers, agricultural workers and concubines – Mostly used for skilled labor (ex. Manufacturing of cloth, mining and processing of gold, silver, copper, and salt – Some were even artisans

Impact of the Renaissance Resurgence of literature, art, music, quest of knowledge (circa 1400’s) Lots of classic painting in which Africans are portrayed nobly and in a real life manner By the 1450’s-on, we see distortions of Africans in art