African Kingdoms

  • Evidence of iron smelting in Nigeria and central Niger.
    500 BCE

    Evidence of iron smelting in Nigeria and central Niger.

  • Period: 300 to 1200

    Ghana

    Ghana was the first of the three early African empires, lasting roughly from 300-1200 CE.
  • Islam spread around Africa
    800

    Islam spread around Africa

  • Ghana's Ruling Dynasty
    830

    Ghana's Ruling Dynasty

    It began 30 years after Islam spread out over the country. They introduced to the camel which brought a gradual change in trading goods.
  • Period: 900 to 1300

    Ghana's usage of Iron tools

    The Kingdom of Ghana knew how to use iron tools and weaponry.
  • Iron Technology Spreads
    1000

    Iron Technology Spreads

  • Ghana's Conquered by Muslims
    1054

    Ghana's Conquered by Muslims

    Conquered by people from the north who were Muslim.
    -Converted into Muslim
  • INGOTS
    1200

    INGOTS

    Small copper ingot currency or croisettes of the HX type. This group of 5 ingots shows stable oxidation with some minor pitting. Mold form ridges are visible on the underside.
  • ARCHER FIGURE
    1200

    ARCHER FIGURE

    Standing male figure of an archer with a quiver slung diagonally across his right shoulder in back. The figure's lower right arm and hand are missing as is his right foot.
  • FOLIO FROM A QU´RAN
    1200

    FOLIO FROM A QU´RAN

    Detached folio from a dispersed copy of the Qur'an; recto: Sura al-Ma'ida (the Table spread) 5: part of 13 and 14, recto begins with "tattali'u"; verso: sura 5:14 and part of 15, verso begins with "faghrayna"; Arabic in brown maghribi script ; gold-knot verse markers; gold tear-drop leaf ornament verse marker; vocalized in green and yellow, diacritics in brown, tashdid and sukun in blue; one column; 7 lines of text; one of a group of 2 folios.
  • Period: 1200 to 1500

    Mali

    Mali came after Ghana's Empire.
  • Ghana's Decline
    1235

    Ghana's Decline

    Ghana started to lose power over their people. They became eclipsed by the Mali Empire.
  • COIN
    1286

    COIN

    Gold coin in square cardstock envelope, thin, circular with double square at center with hole at either side, Arabic script, and pearled border at one side, cut off at opposite. Marinid Dynasty, Ceuta (Sabra) mint. Depositor's notes written on envelope: Marinid/Abu Ya'gub Yusuf/ibn Yaqub/AH 658- 706. AD 1286-1307/Gold dinar 4.36 gm/Ceuta mint (Sabra)/Hazard 715.
  • PROCESSIONAL CROSS
    1300

    PROCESSIONAL CROSS

    Cast copper alloy cross with a central four-cross openwork design encircled by openwork triangular patterns. A hollow tubular shaft would have fit over the end of a pole to be carried aloft during religious processionals.
  • Period: 1312 to 1337

    Mansa Musa´s reign in the Mali Empire

    Mansa Musa was the richest man in the entire world. He was known for his wealth and power over the Mali Empire.
  • Mansa Musa´s pilgrimage to Mecca
    1324

    Mansa Musa´s pilgrimage to Mecca

    He travled to the Holy City of Mecca with enormous entourage and a vast supply of Gold.
  • Period: 1464 to

    Songhai

    It was the last of the three empires in Africa. It started under the control of the Mali Empire.
  • Mohammed Ture seizes power
    1493

    Mohammed Ture seizes power

    He spread Muslim over the Empire of Songhai. He was a devout Muslim who established the Askiya dynasty, and brought Songai to the height of its power.
  • Leo Affricanus visited the Songhai Empire
    1510

    Leo Affricanus visited the Songhai Empire

    He decided to visit Gao. He was amazed at the wealth of the ruling class.