Ancient African Civilizations

Catalog description

African archaeology is reshaping global debates on the origins of agriculture and civilization. This course examines the prehistoric economic foundations of Africa’s complex societies: intensive hunting and gathering, early herding, and plant domestication. Detailed case studies of ancient civilizations (Egypt, Aksum, Jenne, Swahili, and Great Zimbabwe) reveal distinct processes of prehistoric social change in different parts of Africa. Students consider the implications of archaeology for African heritage conservation, research, and public education.