Africa in Prehistoric Times

The Cradle of Humanity

For a long time, the statement that humans originated from Africa was highly controversial. Finds of human bones and the first, very modest tools support this theory, however. While in Europe, humans only lived for almost about 1.5 million years, Africa was already inhabited by predecessors of modern humans six million years ago.

Diverse Development

With a size of about 30 million km², Africa is the second largest continent on Earth; the first humans in prehistoric times presumably lived in the east of the continent. In diverse ways, the different human tribes in Africa developed. In the areas of the rainforest lived small-statured Pygmies, who still live in Stone Age conditions today. In the highlands lived tall people, and in the south medium-sized Bushmen. The so-called original humans were most advanced in Northeast Africa, today’s Algeria and Morocco as well as in the area of today’s South Africa. The Sahara was once a very vegetation- and wildlife-rich region where the original humans found excellent living conditions. For the first time, the original humans became sedentary and evolved from nomads to hunters and gatherers. They founded small tribes, hunted for meat, and gathered fruits. Cave paintings, which were found all over the continent, show the development of the original humans into a sedentary people.

First Tool Finds

Through the formation of small tribes and the invention and production of tools, the first humans about six million years ago distinguished themselves from other species and evolved into today’s humans. The first peoples produced hunting tools and blades to kill their prey more effectively. They built traps and knives, first eating utensils, and made clothing. In search of new prey and better living conditions, many tribes moved on after some time. This migration led to the first humans spreading from Africa to Asia and Europe and settling there.

Further Development

While in Europe the first humans were still on the move, the first settlements formed in Africa in prehistoric times. In the fifth century BC, the first tribes began to practice agriculture for the first time—crops, grains, and cotton were cultivated. At the same time, the original humans domesticated the first animals, primarily goats and sheep. The first human cultures developed in Africa, which is why this continent is also referred to as the cradle of civilization. It should be borne in mind that Africa has given rise to the first advanced civilizations, despite the current situation on the African continent.