AFRICA: Africa’s First People
_______________________ Chapt 20, Sect 1
1.
How did early Africans adapt to their environment?
The earliest humans probably survived by gathering wild fruits, nuts, berries, and
roots. These hunter-gatherers also hunted animals for meat and clothing.
2.
How did the emergence (beginning) of farming and herding change life for early
Africans?
Early African s did not have to travel to places where grains were already growing;
they could settle where there was fertile land. By staying in one location they began
to build communities and civilizations.
3.
What are the features of a civilization?
The features of a civilization include cities, a government, and social classes;
civilizations also have specialized (or distinctive) art, architecture, and writing.
4.
How did important ideas and discoveries spread throughout Africa?
As groups of people, primarily the Bantu-speakers in West Africa looking for new
farmlands, migrated they took with them their language, farming and herding
techniques, and ways to create iron tools.
hunter-gatherer
earliest Africans who probably survived by gathering wild fruits, nuts, berries, and
roots; these hunter-gatherers also hunted animals for meat and clothing.
domesticate
to adapt for human use (plant seeds, rather than letting them grow wild; tame animals to
use them for work and food)
fertile
productive
surplus
more than they needed; extra
civilization
society with cities, a government, and social classes; civilizations also have specialized
(or distinctive) art, architecture, and writing
migrate
move
ethnic group
group of people that share language, religion, family ties, and customs
Louis Leakey
Scientist; found some of the first evidence of early people in East Africa; taught
himself to use tools he had discovered.
Egypt
ancient civilization that was built along the Nile River; had hieroglyphics (writing) and
unique architecture (pyramids), in addition to many social classes; today, it is a country
in North Africa
Nubia
ancient civilization built along the Nile River, south of Eqypt; probably the first place in
Africa where iron was made
Bantu-speakers
people who spoke one of the Bantu languages; people who spoke Bantu migrated from
West Africa to Central and Southern Africa
AFRICA: Africa’s First People
_______________________ Chapt 20, Sect 1
NOTE TAKING
Stone Age
Farmers
The first use of stone
tools by early huntergatherers marks the
beginning of an a period
scientists call the
Stone Age.
At first, gatherers
just protected the
areas where wild grains
grew naturally; later
they began to save
some see to plant in
fertile areas for the
next year.
Nile Civilizations


Egypt began about
5000 BC.
South of Egypt and
beginning about
6000 BC, Nubia
also began as
farming villages
along the Nile
River.
Nuggets:
First people on the African continent lived in East Africa. We know this from the
stones and bones they left behind.
 Until 4000 years ago, most of North Africa (which is now the Sahara Desert) was
through to hold enough water to support many people and animals. Scientists think
that farmers lived there. Paintings on cave walls tell their story.
 Africa’s first farmers probably lived in Algeria. Thousands of years ago more rain
fell in this area, but today it is known as “the Thirst Zone.” (People need to drink
about 2.5 quarts of water per day; they also need water for cooking, farming, and
for their animals – about 21 quarts total per day; however, there are only about five
quarts of water per person per day – ¼ amount needed – in the Thirst Zone.)
 The first farmers used only tools they could make by hand from stones.
 Farmers producing a surplus (more than they needed) allowed others in the
community to do work other than farming. Social classes form when people do a
variety of jobs.
 Each summer flooding on the Nile River left a layer of fertile, alluvial soil that was
ideal for farming, Farming villages grew up along the Nile River, and as they grew
they became a civilization.
 Ancient Egypt was ruled by kings and queens called Pharaohs; people believed them
to gods as well as kings. When they died, Pharaohs were buried in pyramids.
 Egyptian civilizations included: pyramids; hieroglyphics; and were advanced in papermaking, architecture, medicine, and mathematics.
 Meroe was the name of the greatest Nubian kingdom; probably the first place where
iron was made.
 At first, Egypt ruled Nubia, but later Nubia conquered much of Egypt.
 About 500 BC West African learned to heat and shape iron, using it to form tools,
arrow heads, ax heads, and hoe blades. This strong iron tools made farming easier
and created food surpluses. As a result, West Africa’s population increased.
 About 2000 years ago Bantu-speakers in West Africa began looking for additional
farms lands in Central and Southern Africa. They took with them their language and
knowledge of iron-making.
 Most of the ethnic groups in Central and Southern Africa speak Bantu languages.
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SUMMARY: Africa’s first peoples survived by developing tools and techniques for farming and herding, and
they spread out and settled into societies.
