it made it so they could have more protection, produce more food faster, more efficient hunting, and live new places.
1. learned how to make iron , tools , and weapons 2. developed trade routes
stone and tools made from iron.
800 BCE, Carthage became one terminus for West African gold, ivory, and slaves. West Africa received salt, cloth, beads, and metal goods. Shillington proceeds to identify this trade route as the source for West African iron smelting. Trade continued into Roman times.
The Iron Age.
Bantu-speakers settled in central and southern Africa and introduced iron tools, farming and herding.
The use of technology helped West African Communties grow, because iron was used for tools.
iron was used to make tools for tecnolical achevments
iron was used to make tools for tecnolical achevments
1. learned how to make iron , tools , and weapons 2. developed trade routes
One unusual aspect of the West African Iron Age was the decentralized nature of iron production and metalworking techniques, which were developed separately from those in other parts of the world. Additionally, the iron industry in West Africa was closely linked to social status and wealth, with skilled blacksmiths holding high esteem in society.
During the Iron Age in Africa, people smelted iron ore in furnaces to extract the iron and remove impurities like silica. They then heated and hammered the iron to shape it into tools and weapons, a process known as blacksmithing. This technological advancement led to the ability to create stronger and more durable iron tools and weapons, revolutionizing African societies.
It was important in the development of West African civilizations, because people with metalworking skills had an advantage over their neighbors, metal tools were much stronger than bone or wooden tools, I hope this was helpful to all of you out there working with the same problems as me <3
The expert that a historian should consult to determine whether iron tools could be found in the ruins of an ancient African city is an archaeologist. Archaeologists are experts in the study of human history through the recovery and analysis of material culture, which includes artifacts, architecture, and cultural landscapes. Iron tools would be considered a part of this "material culture." Archaeologists have a deep understanding of the different types of tools that were used in different cultures and time periods. They would be able to examine the ruins of the ancient African city and determine whether there is any evidence of iron tools being used. This evidence could include the presence of iron slag, which is a byproduct of iron smelting, or the actual remains of iron tools. In addition to their knowledge of material culture, archaeologists also have a deep understanding of the history of technology. They would be able to use this knowledge to determine when iron tools were first introduced to Africa and how they spread throughout the continent. This information would be invaluable to the historian who is trying to understand the development of iron technology in Africa. Therefore, the best expert to consult to determine whether iron tools could be found in the ruins of an ancient African city is an archaeologist.
Only one country (namely Portugal) had any dealings with West African coast countries at the time. Portugal hoped to find gold there, and wanted to find the mystical Kingdom of Priest John, which turned out not to exist. Calling Portugal a "major trading partner of West African empires" would be a vast overstatement. They got out some gold in exchange for iron tools, cloth etcetra but that was about it. Further travels along the West African coast by the Portuguese all had the purpose of finding a route to Asia.
The African Iron Age started later than in other regions, around 500 BCE, due to a later introduction of iron technology. African societies developed their ironworking independently, leading to unique methods and innovations, such as the production of high-quality iron tools and weapons. Additionally, African ironworking was often intertwined with spiritual beliefs and played a significant role in societal structures.
The West African kingdoms developed trade from the iron industry smelting tools and weapons. This trade was small until the camel came alone with Mediterranean goods been found in pits as far south as Northern Nigeria.
The African Iron Age was marked by a widespread adoption of iron tools and technology across various societies in Africa. One key difference is the decentralized nature of iron production in Africa compared to centralized production in other regions. Additionally, African Iron Age societies often had unique social structures, cultural practices, and trade networks that set them apart from other regions.