Impacts and achievements of early African societies.

1. African Civilizations and
Dynasties
Their Impact and Achievements Ella Solarino

2. Important Early African Societies & their
Impact

3. The Kingdom of Ghana
The Kingdom of Ghana had a big impact on the development of African societies and the way they run
certain things, such as trade.
Ghana was sophisticated in keeping records, such as documentations of trade and traveler’s stories.
They also had an intricate taxation system.

4. The Mali Empire
The Mali Empire was known for being the epicenter of trade in the 1200s. It became very wealthy
because of this.
This empire was also known for:
● Elaborate mosques
● Islamic schools
● It’s luxuriousness

5. The Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire was a giant empire, including many modern-day African nations.
Under the rule of Askia the Great, the empire expanded and hundred of islamic schools were built; he
advocated greatly for learning. He opened scholars, artists and poets into his court, expanding culture.

6. The Kingdom of Aksum
The kingdom of Aksum was a giant center of trade: its resources (ivory and gold) linked Africa and the
East.
It was one of the most powerful empires at it’s time, the time of the Roman Empire.
Aksum developed a unique architectural style. It also created a writing system called Ge’ez, and it is still
in use today at the Orthodox Church in Ethiopia. Ge’ez was one of the first written languages in Africa.

7. Achievements of Early Africa

8. Math and Astronomy
Ancient Africans were very sophisticated in these areas, and many of the methods they devised are still
in use professionally and in schools.
● The first method of counting was developed in Africa
● Egyptians and others along the Nile had to use math to calculate the size of the Nile’s floods.
● They used division and addition, they considered a circle to have 360 degrees, and they even
estimated pi to be 3.16.
● Egyptians created a calendar system with 365 ¼ days and 12 months
● They charted the movements of the sun, moon and stars

9. Architecture and medicine
● Many African societies built pyramids. To this day, we still don’t know exactly how they build the
400 ft tall tombs, made from up to 2.5 million individual blocks of heavy limestone.
● They built hundreds of cities in various places, using giant granite walls to protect them.
● Africa had the most advanced methods of medicine in the world, only until Europe invaded Africa,
and began using their techniques.
● They used various plants to heal and soothe injuries and infected cuts.

10. Sources
● https://blackexcellence.com/african-empires/
● http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab24
● https://www.asbmb.org/asbmb-today/science/020113/great-achievements-in-stem-in-
ancient-africa