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Agriculture soared in the predynastic period with cereals being the most abundant. This led to the beginning of trade between Africa and Asia. This was also when the first Egyptian Dynastic state was established. With the introduction to the Pharoah also came the emergence of writing.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson
Image source http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/africa_6_97.jpg

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There were two main changes that occurred during the dynastic period which had a huge impact of cultural development. Firstly the introduction of a more complex writing system with both phonetic and ideographic characters used for several purposes such as literacy, politics and administration. During this time period we also saw people leave their individuals habitat and begin to group together beginning what we know as urbanization.

Source "Early Dynastic Period (before 3000- 2575)" The Ancienct Egypy site Accessed August 20 2016 http://www.ancient-egypt.org/history/early-dynastic-period/
Image source http://www.ancient-egypt.org/_Media/narmer_med.png

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Pyramids are structured with a quadrilateral base and sides which connect to a triangular point. There are over 70 pyramids in Egypt. The significance of the point in these structures stems to the belief that after death this is how the soul rises to the afterlife. The concept of pyramids was by an architect by the name of Imhotep, who worked for the King of this time period Djoser. The step pyramid at Saqquara was the first known pyramid.

Source Joshua, Mark J "Pyramid" Ancient History Encyclopedia September 02 2009' Accessed August 20 2016 http://www.ancient.eu/pyramid/
Image source http://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,w_1440/MA_00891599_o3zx9k.jpg

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One of the most defining developments of human culture in this period was the faith that the people had in their rulers. The Pharaohs of this time were thought to be the link between the people and the gods and made sure that Egyptian lifestyle was in correct order. By doing this it was thought that the gods were pleased and thus the seasons would change. The importance of the ruler was commemorated during this time by the tombs built in their honor. During this period that most Pyramids stemmed.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson

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The main changes that came to be in the Middle Kingdom are not great changes to politics or religion but to the day to day lives of our ancestors there. Advancements in technology such as the introductions of horse and chariots, bronze works and new musical instruments added to the cultural changes of the time.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson
Image source http://www.touregypt.net/images/touregypt/chariot10.jpg

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The idea of an afterlife was of great importance during the New Kingdom. Conservation of the body after death used highly advanced skills in order to mummify the bodies. Extravagant tombs were created for the most important people and they usually had excessive grave goods. The most famous example of this time is the tomb of Tutankhamen from the Valley of the Kings. It shows us the importance of kings within this period especially as King Tutankhamen died at such a young age. Also found in his tomb was that of two fetuses which may be offspring of Tutankhamen adding to the importance of bringing what matters to you into the afterlife.

Source Hellier, C. A, Connolly, R. C “A re-assessment of the larger fetus found in Tutankhamen's tomb”  Anthropological Literature, Harvard University. Accessed August 20 2016
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=11&sid=efeb04e2-bc05-480b-ab46-1823b9290d9c%40sessionmgr4010&hid=4210&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=XANL578573&db=ant
Image source http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/gri/gif-files/Ross_photo_0020.jpg

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The interesting thing about the site of Jenné-jeno in Mali, West Africa was the clear growth of the Development over the centuries. It shows that there was clear development in regards to trade along the Inland Niger Delta but nothing has yet to be found that supported the theory of developing states in the west. There was still evidence of developing urbanism with the find of burial mounds which included grave goods indicating importance.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson

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The site at Great Zimbabwe is important for the African timeline as it outlines one of the earliest formations of a state in Southern Africa. It allows us to envision the inner workings of a community in this part of Africa who were able to work together to build the impressive 30ft conical tower which was part of two stone enclosures built for the ruling family and those townsmen.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson
Image source https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/b3/5f/ac/b35fac24a486811834e5c3bd6af3c684.jpg

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The importance of this site is due to its location on the Indian Ocean and how we saw the development of long haul trade. Quseir al-Qadim became a hub or hotspot for trade because of close proximity to Cairo,  Alexandria and Aden. Findings suggest that imports came from Asia such as Chinese celadons, Indian textiles and ceramics from Thailand. The main commodity however was black pepper and the trading of other spices including cardamom and turmeric also played a role.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson

Image source http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2010/1003/360_indian_spices_lead_0312.jpg

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The importance of particular sites in Ethiopia helped shape our knowledge of the settlement of people in the vicinity of these churches. Although we do not yet have enough answers we can see that the labor involved with building the churches and the time it would have needed to quarry, the people of the time in Lalibela would have made the conscious decision to commit to the area beginning the long process to quarry enough rock to complete such magnificent churches.

Source Scarre, Chris The Human Past, World Prehistory & the Developement of human societies, Thames and Hudson

Image source http://static.sacred-destinations.com/img/355/gohistoric_15553_m.jpg