a brief note on the origin of African civilizations
plus, the Nok Neolithic culture.
=========================== #### Discover more from African History Extra All about African history; narrating the continent's neglected past Over 6,000 subscribers a brief note on the origin of African civilizations
=================================================== ### plus, the Nok Neolithic culture. ( Oct 28, 2023 28 Beginning around 12,000 years ago, a wide-ranging set of developments emerged independently in several societies across the world. Plants and animals were domesticated, pottery and advanced tools appeared, and settlements were established. This archeological period, often refered to as the 'Neolithic' or 'Late stone Age', was protracted and diverse, with different features appearing in different regions at different time periods —and no region exhibits this diversity more than Africa. The earliest domesticates, advanced tools and permanent settlements in Africa first appear in the Upper and Middle Nile Valley in what is today Egypt and Sudan between 9,000-5,000 BC. This region was home to ( that eventually gave rise to the first states, with dynastic Egypt around 3,000BC and the Kerma kingdom around 2,500BC. A similar process in the Northern Horn of Africa saw (
, prior to the rise of the D'MT polity around 900BC and the Aksumite kingdom by the turn of the common era. In West Africa, Neolithic cultures emerged between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC. This was a dynamic period with substantial changes of settlement systems, economy, technology, and land use. Due to increasing aridity, human occupation gradually shifted from the drying Sahara into the more humid areas of West Africa. There was considerable variability in these developments, with pottery, livestock and cereal agriculture appearing as early as the 6th millennium BC, thus preceeding permanent settlements and iron tools by several millennia. The period was later suceeded by the emergence of large sedentary communities, the first cities (eg; Jenne-Jeno) and early states (eg; the Ghana empire) during the 1st millennium BC and 1st millennium CE. _**Map showing Africa’s oldest Neolithic cultures as well as sites with early archaeobotanical evidence for the spread of major African crops. (**_original map by Dorian Fuller & Elisabeth Hildebrand_**)**_ Only a few West African Neolithic cultures with complete archaeological traditions, including material culture, settlement and socio-economic systems, have been studied for this period. The most distinctive are the ( (2200-400 BC), the Kintampo culture of Ghana (2100–1400 BC), the Gajiganna culture of North-east Nigeria (1800–800 BC), and the Nok culture of central Nigeria (1500–1 BC). The Nok culture is unique and renowned because of its elaborate terracotta sculptures, as well as providing the earliest evidence of iron smelting in west Africa. My latest Patreon article explores the history and significance of the Nok culture in the origins of African kingdoms, institutions and inventions: ( * * * Ruins of the ancient town of Dakhlet el Atrouss-I in south-eastern Mauritania, that was built during the classic Tichitt phase (1600BC-1000BC). Measuring over 300ha and with an estimated population of 10,000 at its height, the town is one of Africa’s oldest urban settlements. (photos by Robert Vernet).
### The Origin of African Civilizations and the Nok Neolithic Culture

#### 1. Introduction to the Neolithic Period
- **Timeframe**: The Neolithic period began around 12,000 years ago.
- **Key Developments**: This era saw the domestication of plants and animals, the advent of pottery, advanced tools, and the establishment of settlements.
- **Geographical Diversity**: The Neolithic transition was varied by region, with Africa exhibiting significant diversity in developments.

#### 2. Early Developments in Africa
- **Regions of Early Development**: 
    - Upper and Middle Nile Valley (modern-day Egypt and Sudan).
- **Time Period**: Evidence of early domesticates and settlements dates from 9,000 to 5,000 BC.
- **Subsequent Advances**:
    - Emergence of dynastic Egypt around 3,000 BC.
    - Formation of the Kerma kingdom around 2,500 BC.

#### 3. The Northern Horn of Africa
- **Cultural Developments**: Following the Nile Valley, a similar evolution occurred in the Northern Horn of Africa.
- **Key Polities**: 
    - The D'MT polity arose around 900 BC.
    - The Aksumite kingdom emerged at the turn of the common era.

#### 4. West Africa Neolithic Cultures
- **Timeframe**: West African Neolithic cultures developed between the 3rd and 2nd millennium BC.
- **Environmental Changes**: 
    - Increasing aridity led to a migration of human populations from the drying Sahara to more humid regions in West Africa.
- **Cultural Variability**: This period experienced significant changes in settlement systems, economy, technology, and land use.
- **Early Developments**: Pottery, livestock, and cereal agriculture appeared as early as the 6th millennium BC, predating permanent settlements and iron tools.

#### 5. Emergence of Large Settlements and States
- **Late Neolithic to Early Historical Period**:
    - The 1st millennium BC and 1st millennium CE saw the rise of large sedentary communities, cities (e.g., Jenne-Jeno), and early states (e.g., the Ghana empire).

#### 6. Key West African Neolithic Cultures
- **Notable Cultures**: 
    - The ( ) culture (2200-400 BC).
    - Kintampo culture of Ghana (2100–1400 BC).
    - Gajiganna culture of Northeast Nigeria (1800–800 BC).
    - **Nok Culture**: Central Nigeria's Nok culture (1500–1 BC) is particularly renowned for its elaborate terracotta sculptures and is significant for providing the earliest evidence of iron smelting in West Africa.

#### 7. Significance of the Nok Culture
- **Cultural Contributions**: The Nok culture’s terracotta sculptures are an important part of African art history.
- **Technological Advances**: The earliest evidence of iron smelting in West Africa originates from this culture, highlighting its role in technological innovation.

#### 8. Conclusion
- **Urban Development**: The ancient town of Dakhlet el Atrouss-I in Mauritania (1600 BC - 1000 BC), covering over 300 hectares and supporting a population of approximately 10,000 at its peak, exemplifies early urban settlement in Africa.

### Summary
This overview emphasizes the significant milestones in the origin of African civilizations, from early Neolithic developments to the rise of distinct cultures and urban centers. The Nok culture stands out for its artistic and technological contributions, shaping the continent's historical narrative.