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-Ducksters

All topics-Everyone

-VMFA

River importance-Ava Schroeder

-National Geographic

Mansa Musa-Ava Schroeder

Kingdom of Aksum-Nora Schueller

-Metmuseum.org

Primary source-Ashlyn Lawonn

-Britannica

Slave trade-Ava Schroeder

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This is an image of where Ghana is located within the ancient civilization of Africa. 

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The kingdom of Ghana is located in Western Africa just south of the Sahara Desert. In ancient Ghana there were many major rivers used for transportation and trade. The capital of Ghana was Koumbi Saleh. Ancient Ghana had an estimated amount of 20,000 people living in and around the capital city.

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This picture is of iron and gold in Ghana. This is a primary source. 

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The Empire of Ancient Ghana is not related either geographically nor culturally to the modern Africa country of Ghana. Ghana was the word that the Soninke people used for their king. This word means "Warrior King." Their main source of wealth for the Empire of Ghana was the mining of iron and gold. Iron and gold were very essential to their daily life. In addition, salt was considered very valuable. Many people living in the Empire were farmers, in which the rivers played a big part in their farming.

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This is an image of where the Kingdom of Kush is located. -Secondary Source

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Kingdom Of Kush Geography-Nora Schueller

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Kingdom Of Kush Geography-Nora Schueller

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The Kingdom of Kush was located in Northeast Africa, just south of Ancient Egypt. The main cities of Kush were situated along the Nile River, The White River, and the Blue River, all providing fresh water for their people. The Kingdom of Kush lasted for over 1400 years. It was first established in 1070 BCE, when it got its independence from Egypt. It then quickly became a major power in Northeastern Africa. Later, in 727 BCE Kush took control of Egypt and ruled until the Assyrians arrived. The empire then weakened in 300s CE after Rome concurred Egypt.

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This is an image of where the Empire of Ancient Mali is located in Africa. 

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Geography-Empire of Ancient Mali-Ava Schroeder

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Geography-Empire of Ancient Mali-Ava Schroeder

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The Empire of Ancient Mali was located in Western Africa. It grew along the Niger River and eventually spread along the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city of Ancient Mali was Niani. Finally, it's northern border was just south of the Sahara Desert. This is the geography of the Ancient Empire of Mali.

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This picture is of the Social Structure in Ancient Mali. This is also known as the castes' they are divided into.

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The Empire of Ancient Mali was formed when ruler, Sundiata Keita brought together tribes of the Malinke people. So, that means that many people got reunited with each other. These people spoke similar languages and had similar cultures, which was helpful because then they could connect with each other easier. The religion of Islam played an important role within the government because most people were Islamic. The government of the Mali Empire was led by an emperor called Mansa. Mansa Musa was very essential in the Empire of Mali. Finally, in the Mali Empire they were divided into castes. The picture above is an image of a caste system. The most respected caste of them all were the farmers because they provided food for most people.

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This is where the Songhai Empire is located within Ancient Africa. 

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The Songhai empire was located in Western Africa by the Mali and Songhai Empires. The Songhai was also located south of the Sahara Desert, and it was along the Niger River as well as some of the others that we mentioned in Ancient Africa. Gao was the capital city of Songhai. There were also many major rivers like the others, that provided many great things for the people in Africa. Such as, food, soil and good use for farmers. The Songhai empire was overall a very important part of Ancient Africa.

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This is an image of The Kingdom of Kush engraved stone. -Primary Source

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In The Kingdom of Kush religion, outside of the Pharaoh and the ruling class, the Priest were the most important in the Social Class. Farmers were next in the Social Class, in the middle. Lastly, were servants, labors, and slaves. They also made laws and communicated with God, about religions. Like Egyptians, religion was very important to the people of Kush. They strongly believed in the afterlife. Women could also be the leaders of Kush, and often were. They were called Queens.

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These are the kingdoms of central Africa and where they are in Africa. 

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Kingdoms of central Africa-Ashlyn Lawonn

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Kingdoms of central Africa-Ashlyn Lawonn

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Central Africa is a large religion with many kingdoms inside this kingdom. These kingdoms live by the rainforests and grasslands. All the kingdoms rose and fell in time. The kingdoms are Zimbabwe, Kongo, Luba, Lunda, and Mutapa. Zimbabwe was really famous because of this city inside of Zimbabwe. The city is Great Zimbabwe and still has stone walls standing there. Kongo was a large area of central Africa that ruled it. It has a colony of Portuguese and they brought their religion and slave trade which began to weaken but was not successful. Over time the kingdom collapsed and was taken over by the Portuguese. Mutapu was established by a warrior leader from the kingdoms of Zimbabwe. It then became wealthy because of mining gold and ivory. It had established trade relations with Portugal. The kingdom collapsed when civil war broke in 1795 with the king died.

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These are where Luba and Lunda are located. 

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Luba and Lunda are very similar because the kingdoms were established by the same person. The person is Tshibinda Llunga who established the two kingdoms in Central Africa. Luba was ruled in the modern day. They had a country of democratic Republic. Lunda expanded more east and gained other territories and tribes. Later, Europeans came and colonized the region.

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This is an image of Mansa Musa, the government leader in Ancient Mali. -Secondary Source

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The ruler of Mali, Mansa Musa, was ruler of the kingdom from 1312 C.E. to 1337 C.E. Mansa's incredible work in expanding trade made Mali the wealthiest kingdom in Ancient Africa. After Mansa Musa's amazing time in Mali, he died in 1337 C.E. Long after his death, Musa still is a symbol of great wealth in the ancient world. Although he is known for his wealth, Mansa Musa is also known for his Islamic faith. Mansa Musa created a wonderful culture for ancient Mali. As you can see, Mansa Musa is a huge part of history in the Empire of Ancient Mali.

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This is the primary score of the portuguese. 

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The people in the ivory and gold are Portuguese. The ivory and gold were from the europeans. The Europeans transformed natural things into objects. This is one of the sculptures they made. It is of four male figures who are very wealthy and they have a pattern on them because of their wealth.

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This is a primary source of the Niger River in Mali, Africa. 

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Importance of Rivers in Ancient Mali-Ava Schroeder

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Importance of Rivers in Ancient Mali-Ava Schroeder

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Rivers were essential to daily life in Ancient Mali. The Niger River flooded occasionally, providing lots of fertile, which was very helpful. Fertile is soil or land that produces abundant vegetation or crops. It also provided agricultural soil, which was also very supportive of crops for food. This made Ancient Mali a perfect location for farming. Rivers were also very important for trade, which was huge in the ancient environment. The Niger River also connected with the Mediterranean Basin which was a major trade industry. Clearly, the rivers provided excellent trade options for the people in Ancient Mali and also many other people in Western Africa that came to trade at the Niger River.

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Fun song to learn more about Western Africa!!

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Carthage is just to the coast of the Mediterranean sea. Today this is the country of Tunisia. The Carthage ruled most of the Mediterranean coast, North America, South Spain, and the islands of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily. The Carthage ruled from 650 BCE to 146 BCE. The ruler was Phoenician Empire and he gained independence in 650 BCE. He grew and became the most powerful Mediterranean sea. Carthage had some treaty with Rome and their power was able to keep Romans in check. They were able to keep Rome in check because of their amazing navy. Carthage had a really good navy.

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This is an image of a gold bowl of Ancient Kush. -Primary Source 

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Kingdom Of Kush Achievement-Nora Schueller

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Kingdom Of Kush Achievement-Nora Schueller

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The Kingdom of Kush unlike many cities, had 2 different capital cities. The first capital was Napata, which was located by the Nile River, in Northern Kush. Napata was the capital that held the most power in Kush. In around 590 BCE, the capital moved to Meroe. Meroe was located more South providing a better buffer from fighting with Egypt. It also was the center of iron working, a very important resource for the Kingdom, and an even more important achievement for the Kingdom too. The Kingdom of Kush also had the achievement of Iron and Gold. Iron and Gold were 2 of the most important resources of Kush. Gold was used to create wealthyness, and to trade with the Egyptians and or other nearby nations too. Iron was the most important metal of the age. It was used to make the strongest tools, and weapons. This was one of their greatest achievements.

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This is an image of the King of Aksum. -Secondary Source

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Kingdom Of Aksum Politics-Nora Schueller

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Kingdom Of Aksum Politics-Nora Schueller

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King Ezana was the leader during the peak of Aksum. Ezana ruled from around 325 CE to 360 CE. During this time, Ezana expanded the territory from them, which then became a major trade center for them. Under the King of Ezana, that Aksum concurred the Kingdom Of Kush, destroying their cities of Mero. King Ezana when converted to being a Christian, which is when the whole Kingdom then changed to Christian too.

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This is an image of the Kingdom Of Aksum towers before they were taken by the Italian Soldiers. -Secondary Source

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Kingdom Of Aksum Economics-Nora Schueller

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Kingdom Of Aksum Economics-Nora Schueller

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Unlike their Northern neighbors of Egypt, Aksum did not build pyramids. They instead opted for building tall towers called steales. One of the tallest towers ever made by them was almost 100 feet tall. The owners were also made with caked inscriptions, stone doors, and fake windows. The most famous tower they made was called the Obelisk Of Axum which was then taken by Italian Soldiers in 1937. Then later in 2008, the towers were then returned in pieces and reconstructed.

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This is an image of the people of The Kingdom Of Aksum. -Secondary Source

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Kingdom Of Aksum Social Structure-Nora Schueller

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Kingdom Of Aksum Social Structure-Nora Schueller

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Because Aksum is a location and role in internal trading, the culture of Aksum became a blend for many cultures in their many religions. They were then influenced by the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans, and lastly, the Arans. Christianity however was the primary religion after 325 CE which had a major influence on the culture as well. Many people say Aksum was the most advanced culture in Ancient Africa. They made written languages, and minted their own coins. They also developed terrace farming and irrigation, which helped them to farm the slopes of their local mountains. Making their hilly land more productive.

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This is a picture of where Carthage is and where the other cities are near the  mediterranean sea. 

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Wars in Ancient Carthage - Ashlyn Lawonn

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Wars in Ancient Carthage - Ashlyn Lawonn

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Between 480 BCE and 265 BCE Carthage fought many wars and one of them was the control of Sicily war. These types of wars are called the Sicilian wars from the greek. They fought over the island that is there and no one ever won the wars or the island. The Punic wars rose from the Ancient Roman people. Carthage became more intense with Rome. In 264 BCE Carthage fought Rome and Rome had defeated Carthage taking control of Sicily. The second war was in 218 BCE and 201 BCE. During the war the famous leader of Carthage Hannibal crossed the Alps and attacked Rome and Italy. Hannibal won several wars in the past but this time Carthage began to get more and more weak. The more they weaken the more they lose the war. The Romans won the war and controlled Spain and part of North America.

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This is a primary source of gold and salt within the trade in Ancient Africa. 

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The Songhai Empire came into power when Sunni Ali took leadership. They often called him Sunni Ali the Great. After Sunni Ali's great leadership, he eventually died in 1492 bringing in a new leader. The new leader was Askia Muhammad who started in 1943 shortly after Ali's death. Askia ended up founding a great dynasty. Askia Muhammad took control of many surrounding lands and also took power in the gold and salt trade in the Mali Empire. This was very important because trade was huge in economics and many people wanted gold and salt not only in Africa, but also in other Ancient Civilizations.

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This is a painting of what they believe slavery looked like in Ancient Africa and many other Ancient civilizations. -Secondary Source

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Slavery was a big topic in the Ancient civilizations world. For example, the slave trade became a huge part of the Songhai Empire. Slave trade is the capturing, selling, and buying of enslaved persons. Many of the slaves were used to help transport goods across the Sahara Desert to places like Morocco and the Middle East areas. In addition, slaves were sold to work in different places. For instance, in the Songhai Empire, slaves were sold to Europeans to work in Europe and the Americas. As you can see, slavery was not a good thing, but was used for many instances in the Songhai Empire especially for trading goods.

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Interesting Facts about Ancient Africa-Ava Schroeder

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Interesting Facts about Ancient Africa-Ava Schroeder

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Interesting facts:

-Most people in Ancient Africa were farmers.

-In some Ancient Africa societies, artisans were thought to have magical powers.

-Many, many slaves were in Ancient Africa.

-Most people that lived there lived in houses made of clay and straw called thatched houses.

-Because it was so hot in Ancient Africa many people didn't wear much clothes. Most of the time, they went around naked or vaguely covered.

-People were considered adults at the age of 12.

-Many girls got married at the age of 12 or 13. Their fathers would choose their husband.

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You should have a reason for your response. DON'T just click one!

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Would you want to go back in time and live in Ancient Africa?

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Welcome to the Sahara Desert - the largest hot desert in the world! We cover the climate and landforms of the Sahara and then move on to meeting the many insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals that live in these harsh conditions. Find out about the many adaptations that allow plant and animal life to survive and thrive here, along with the people who have called the Sahara home for many millennia.

Video length: 31:28 minutes.

Enjoy a trip through an African Safari park to see an incredible variety of wildlife. Take a first-row seat at the waterholes where the action is. You'll see elephants, giraffes, warthogs, rhinos, zebras, lions, and so much more.

Video length: 15:16 minutes.

A civilization like no other - let's start with the Egyptian gods that ruled over the smallest details of everyday life. They also protected the all-powerful Pharaoh. We examine Egyptian royalty, and the social structure of Ancient Egypt, right down to the everyday people, their daily life, and the symbols that were important them.

Video length: 26:41 minutes

Let's have a close-up look at the magnificent structures that the Ancient Egyptians have left behind for us to marvel over, even thousands of years later. Pyramids, Sphinxes, and many, many temples delight our senses as we take this trip back in time to the Land of the Pyramids.

Video length: 19:51 minutes

What Else Would You Like To See On This List?

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Welcome to the Sahara Desert - the largest hot desert in the world! We cover the climate and landforms of the Sahara and then move on to meeting the many insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals that live in these harsh conditions.

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The third Punic war was in between 149 BCE and 146 BCE. This war was between the Romans and Carthage. Rome Concorde the city of carthage and killed the empire. Later, Rome and Carthage joined forces and became part of the Roman Republic.

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Carthage was part of a monarchy and ruled by a king. However, the government changed to the Republic around the 4th century BCE. Carthage is similar to Rome because they both had a senate and they made up 300 wealthy citizens that could help make the laws. They had two main leaders that they got to elect every year. They were called Suffetes. That means a judge so they were like a judge or judges.