ABSTRACT

Forgotten Africa introduces the general reader and beginning student to Africa's past, emphasizing those aspects only known or best known from archaeological and related evidence. It covers four million years of history across the continent, examining important aspects of Africa's momentous human story. Graham Connah is concerned to raise public awareness, both inside and outside Africa, to this frequently overlooked and often forgotten subject.

Forgotten Africa examines: 

* human origins,
* the material culture of hunter gatherers
* the beginnings of African farming, the development of metallurgy
* the emergence of distinctive artistic traditions
* the growth of cities and states
* the expansion of trading networks
* the impact of European and other external contacts.

The result is a fascinating and important story told in a straightforward and readable manner.

chapter 1|6 pages

AFRICA

The birthplace of humanity

chapter 2|6 pages

STONE TOOLS AND ADAPTATION

The origins of the genus Homo

chapter 3|7 pages

AFRICA’S GIFT TO THE WORLD

The earliest Homo sapiens

chapter 4|7 pages

LIVING OFF THE LAND

Later hunter-gatherers in Africa

chapter 5|7 pages

PUTTING IDEAS ON STONE

The rock art of southern Africa

chapter 6|5 pages

PICTURES FROM A LOST WORLD

The rock art of the Sahara

chapter 7|6 pages

Producing food: early developments in North and

Early developments in North and West Africa

chapter 8|6 pages

PRODUCING FOOD

Adaptation in North-East and East Africa

chapter 9|6 pages

THE POWER OF METAL

The origins of African iron-working

chapter 10|7 pages

ANCIENT EGYPT

3000 years of achievement

chapter 11|5 pages

NUBIA

A meeting place of different people

chapter 12|7 pages

AKSUM

A trading metropolis on the Ethiopian Plateau

chapter 13|6 pages

CHURCH AND STATE

Survival in Ethiopia

chapter 14|6 pages

OPPORTUNITY AND CONSTRAINT

The Lake Chad story

chapter 15|6 pages

Facing the Mediterranean: Carthaginian, Greek and

Carthaginian, Greek and Roman North Africa

chapter 16|7 pages

QSAR ES-SEGHIR

Front door to Europe, front door to Africa

chapter 17|6 pages

JENNÉ-JENO

An early city on the Middle Niger

chapter 19|6 pages

IGBO-UKWU

A challenge from the past

chapter 20|7 pages

ANCESTRAL FACES

Ancient sculpture in Nigeria

chapter 21|6 pages

BENIN CITY

From forest power to world fame

chapter 22|6 pages

POTS AND PEOPLE

Early farmers south of the Equator

chapter 23|8 pages

THE TESTIMONY OF THE DEAD

Life in the Upemba Depression

chapter 24|6 pages

‘ONE BEAUTIFUL GARDEN’

Production and power amongst the Great Lakes

chapter 25|6 pages

FACING TWO WORLDS

The trading settlements of the East African coast

chapter 26|6 pages

PROJECTING POWER

Great Zimbabwe and related sites

chapter 27|6 pages

DESERTED SETTLEMENTS WITH A STORY

Later farmers in southern Africa

chapter 28|7 pages

OUTSIDERS ON THE INSIDE

The impact of European expansion

chapter 29|4 pages

REMEMBERING AFRICA’S PAST