Chapter 3
1. Early agricultural Society in Africa
Climatic change and the Development of Agriculture in Africa
After last ice age, Sahara desert- grassy, lakes
Humans hunt cattle, collect wild grains, fish
East Sudan- people eventually domesticated cattle, establish permanent settlements, cultivate sorghum (grain)
West Sudan- cultivate yam
Agriculture success- Sudanic form monarchies ruled by kings
Buried kings and executed royal servants- meet king’s needs in afterlife
Religion- source of good and evil (associated w/ rain)
After 5000 B.C- climatic change- hotter, drier (drove inhabitants out)
Nile river valley- fertile- support agricultural economy
Egypt and Nubia: “Gifts of the Nile”
Egypt broader floodplain than Nubia- better advantage of floods
Migrants introduced collecting grains, language of Coptic, crops (watermelon), animals (cattle, donkey)
Egyptians- after flood, sowed seeds w/o preparation of soil
Nubians- relied on prepared fields and irrigation
Demographic pressures force Egyptians develop more methods of agriculture- grow on higher ground (plowing and preparation), dikes (protect fields from floods), basins (store water)
Earliest states were small kingdoms (similar to Sudan)
The Unification of Egypt
Ta-Seti- strong Nubian kingdom- extended rule into Egypt
When Ta-Seti declined, Egyptian kingdoms increased their power- large and powerful
Menes- found Memphis (political center of Egypt), unifier of Egypt
Pharaoh owns all land and absolute ruler
Archaic Period and Old kingdom- pharaoh power greatest, massive pyramids
Violence between Egypt and Nubia- Egypt dominates
After defeat, Nubia establish Kush (powerful kingdom)
Interaction through diplomacy, Nubian mercenaries, and intermarriage
Turmoil and Empire
Middle Kingdom- period of disruption after old kingdom
Nomadic horsemen, Hyksos, invade Egypt w/ bronze weapons and chariots (Egypt use wood and stone)- captures