By: Kaothar OladojaWHAPMr. Sienkiewickz

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN MEUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Sub Saharan Africa in 6 Artifacts

Welcome to the new exhibit on Sub Saharan Africa. In the next 10 minutes I’ll be giving you a tour summarizing the history of Africa in 6 displays.

8000 BCE – 600 BCE

From Temple T at Kawa, Sudan, Kushite, created about 680 BC

This sphinx is from Kush or Nubia. It is home to the oldest sub-Saharan African kingdom, the kingdom of Kush (formed about 2500-1500 BC). Kush was coveted for its rich natural resources particularly gold, ebony and ivory. Ancient Egyptians were attracted southward seeking these resources during the Old Kingdom which often led to conflict between Egyptian and Sudanese.

600 BCE – 600 CEIron Tools found in South Africa dating back to the Iron Age.

Bantu Migration throughout Africa Bantu speaking peoples originating from the boundary of Nigeria and Cameroon began spreading outward to southern and East Africa. During this time period. They brought with them knowledge of iron smelting, agricultural, and cattle. The Bantu migration can be traced through the Bantu related languages throughout central Africa and by the spread of similar cattle breeds and agricultural practice

600 – 1450 CE

Dated to 1375, showing the king of Mali holding a gold nugget.

Mansa Musa (1280 - 1337) was the king of the Mali Empire. This picture represents the prosperity of Africa in this time period. Last period where Africa was superior in wealth to Europe and on a level field with other empires of the world. Africa was a wealthy gold nation where trade flourished as did learning and research. Mansa Musa established one of the oldest universities in the world. Timbuktu. It also demonstrates an important event of this time period which was the introduction of Islam to the region.

1450 – 1750 CE

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Trade between African Kings and Europeans: African kings exchanged Black slaves for guns and other goods eventually Europeans began to disregard African authorities and illegally take slaves; 11 million Africans were taken from their home and taken on a dangerous journey across the Atlantic to work on crash crop plantations in the Americas; Devastated Africa’s population and workforce

1750 – 1900 CE

European weapon that allowed them to easily colonize Africa. “Scramble for Africa”: Europeans easily carved up all of Africa (except Liberia and Ethiopia ) because they were able to overpower African resistance. Bloody battles with many casualties

“Whatever happens we have got The Maxim Gun, and they have not.”

1900 - Present Day

Throne of WeaponsThrone made by Cristóvão Estavão Canhavato, an artist from Mozambique in 2002 from European weapons. Represents European Colonialism, the violence of civil wars raging throughout Africa, and represents militant leaders throughout Sub Saharan Africa. Represents theme of conflict and war

Bibliography● http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/a_hist

ory_of_the_world/objects.aspx● http://www.essential-humanities.net/world-his

tory/sub-saharan-africa/● http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mali/hd_

mali.htm● http://www.moadsf.org/● http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/obje

cts/97OnxVXaQkehlbliKKDB6A