Ancient Africa

Catalog description

The African continent is home to the longest history of human experiences. This course surveys the diversity of ancient African cultures from the time of the earliest humans through the last millennia B.C.E and, selectively, into the first millennium C.E. It includes famous African civilizations like Nubia and Egypt, along with many other African societies. We trace how themes of technological innovation, environmental management, and cross-cultural interactions shaped particular cultures and how historians use a variety of interdisciplinary sources to narrate this history. Last, but not least, we explore how various Africans, as well as others have produced, reflected upon, and debated the history of ancient Africa throughout the ages.