From lost stone age groups to giant palaces, here are 10 more amazing archaeological discoveries
from Africa (besides Egypt)….
10.
Sibudu and Blombos, South Africa
Sibudu and Blombos are two of the most famous archaeological sites in South Africa, and
have both led to a new understanding of the way different stone age groups lived.
Despite being more than 600 miles apart, artifacts found in caves at both these sites are strikingly
similar… but still have noticeable differences.
Researchers at Sibudu cave, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, have found the earliest known bone arrow and
the earliest needle, from 61,000 years ago.
They also found the earliest known evidence of the use of bedding, from 77,000 years ago.
In Blombos cave, about 180 miles to the east of Cape Town, archaeologists have uncovered
engraved bones, beads, stone and bone tools, and a 100,000 year old ochre processing workshop,
where an ochre-based mixture was created for use in decoration and skin protection.
The surprising thing about the finds in each cave, is that the people who lived there around
71,000 years ago were using similar types of stone tools- but had differences in the
way they were making them.
This was partly to do with the different types of stone available, but in Sibudu, stone knapping
was focussed on creating thin, long, double pointed stone points which would have been
used as cutting devices and on the tips of weapons.
The Blombos objects were fashioned in a markedly different way, but still to achieve the same
result.
These finds show that stone working techniques developed separately, at that time, but something
happened within 6,000 years.
All tools found from 65,000 years ago have similarities in structure, which suggests
that cultural traditions had spread across the region we now know as South Africa.
It’s because of finds like this that researchers can chart the societal development of early
humans, and show how communication and teaching allowed different groups to learn.
This was, in effect, the first known example of humans working with and helping one another.
9.
Laetoli, Tanzania
Laetoli, in Tanzania, is incredibly important in the understanding of early humans, as it’s
the site of the discovery of 5 sets of footprints that date back to 3.66 million years ago.
Originally, 3 sets were found in 1976… preserved in the rock after a group of australopiths
walked across damp volcanic ash as it was hardening.
These were the same species of our ancestors as the famous ‘Lucy’, and remain, by far,
the oldest footprints of hominids that have ever been found.
What was interesting was that they were made by upright walkers… ones that walked in
a similar way to how we do- with a well-developed arch in the foot, and using the big toe to
push off from the ground.
Recently, 2 more sets of footprints have been found, and this has given further insight
into the social dynamics of australopiths.
The new theory, based on these finds, is that they behaved similar to gorillas… with a
single dominant male being accompanied by a group of females and their offspring.
8.
The Great Mosque of Djenné, Mali
The town of Djenné was founded in 800 AD on an island on the Niger River delta in present
day Mali.
It was one of sub Saharan Africa’s oldest cities, and became a trade hub for people
to transport gold, salt, and slaves.
All of the structures here were made from mud, but the biggest building on the site
was the Great Mosque.
The original mosque was built in the 13th century but, over time, it fell into disrepair,
and became inhabited by huge swarms of swallows who built their nests inside of it.
When the town was conquered during the Tukulor war in the 19th century, the mosque was closed,
and a new one was built nearby by Seku Amadu.
In 1893, the town was recaptured by French forces, who demolished the new mosque, built
a school on the site, and began work to rebuild the original Great Mosque.
Completed in 1907, the new building was made with the same techniques- using sun baked
mud bricks, bundles of palm branches, and a mud plaster coating on the walls.
An annual festival is held where locals work together to repair the mosque, to ensure it
lasts.
Built on a place steeped in such history, countless artefacts have been found here from
across the ages… and it’s no surprise this is one of the most famous landmarks in
Africa, and designated a UNESCO world heritage site.
7.
Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa
The Sterkfontein Caves, in South Africa’s ‘Cradle of Humankind’, have provided the
richest source of hominid fossils in the world.
It’s also the site of the longest palaeoanthropological dig ever, with continuous excavations taking
place since 1935… only pausing during the second world war.
The limestone caves, about 25 miles northwest of Johannesburg, were where the first adult
Australopithecine to be discovered was found, along with the remains of Paranthropus, and
early Homo species.
In total, more than 500 different hominids have been unearthed here- some dating back
as far as 2.6 million years.
The discoveries made in these caves have been instrumental in the understanding of the evolution
and behaviours of early human species… without which, we’d have nowhere near as much information
about our early ancestors, and how we became what we are today.
Excavations at Sterkfontein continue, with researchers believing there’s plenty more
to be found.
Who knows what they’ll unearth next!
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There's more where this came from!!
6.
The Obelisk of Axum, Ethiopia
Between the 4th century BC and 10th century AD, the Kingdom of Axum was one of the most
influential civilisations on earth.
The capital, the city of Axum, was a trade city between Persia and Rome, and was extremely
powerful and wealthy.
As a pagan civilisation, the people constructed tall pillars to mark the tombs of the most
revered leaders but, in the 4th century, they converted to Christianity and the Pagan practises
were ended.
The 80 foot obelisk of Axum was allowed to remain in place, though, but in the 16th century,
it’s believed the structure was toppled by an earthquake.
As the population no longer cared for its significance, the pieces soon were buried
beneath the sand.
In 1935, the pieces were re-discovered by Italian soldiers during their conquest of
Ethiopia, and they transported the three pieces, weighing a total of 160 tons, back to Rome
where it was re-assembled.
Following the second world war, the UN ruled that the Italians must return it to Ethiopia,
but after significant delays, this only happened in 2007.
The pieces were then re-assembled and the complete obelisk was installed near two other
famous pillars- the Great Stelea, which is 108 feet tall, and the King Ezana stele, one
of the last to have ever been built.
Together, these three stand as monument to a once mighty civilisation, and make you wonder
what else may still be hidden beneath the sands.
5.
Leptis Magna, Libya
Believed to have been founded as early as the 7th century BC, Leptis Magna, which lies
62 miles to the southeast of Tripoli in Libya, is now a UNESCO world heritage site.
While you may only think of the Romans conquering large swathes of Europe, this place on the
northern coast of Africa, is home to some of the world’s best known remains of Roman
architecture… and was an important outpost for them.
It was officially designated as a community with full rights of citizenship by the Roman
emperor Trajan, who reigned between the year 98 and 117… and the emperor Septimius Severus,
who ruled the empire a century later, was born there.
During this time, a massive building program began, which saw the harbour being artificially
enlarged and countless other structures being built.
The fall of the Roman empire led to difficulties, though, and after the Arab conquest of 642,
Leptis fell into ruin.
It was only in the early 20th century that the city was excavated from the sands, which
have seen the discovery of extensive baths, a grand basilica, and an intricate forum.
Leptis Magna is an immensely important historical site, and shows the extent to which the Roman
empire spread.
4.
The Nok Civilisation, Nigeria
The Nok civilisation are thought to have been the first complex civilization in West Africa,
but it was only because of a chance discovery that their existence came to light.
Tin miners in the Kaduna state of central Nigeria were digging, when they found a large
collection of terracotta artefacts, unlike anything anyone had seen before.
Since then, archaeologists have found stone tools, rock paintings, and iron objects- including
bracelets, and deadly spear points and knives.
We have since learned that the Nok civilisation first emerged around 900 BC, and mysteriously
disappeared 1100 years later.
They were a very advanced society, and had one of the most complex judicial systems in
the world at the time.
The most standout objects that have been found are undoubtedly the life size terracotta statues.
At least 2500 years old, they are mainly of people with large, elongated heads with hollow
eyes and parted lips.
It’s not clear what they were for, whether ornamental, as a representation of the gods
or of worship, or maybe to represent important members of the society.
There’s still a lot to learn about the Nok, and we still don’t know why the once thriving
culture seems to have suddenly collapsed.
There are surely more clues still waiting to be found, and it’s only a matter of time
until we get more answers.
3.
Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania
Just off the coast of Tanzania is the island of Kilwa Kisiwani, which means ‘the isle
of fish’… a place that was once home to a wealthy port that was the center of one
of the most powerful empires of eastern Africa.
It was an influential place from between the 9th century until the 19th century, providing
a vital link to the Swahili civilisation that stretched from Kenya to Mozambique.
Today, though, the once magnificent structures built here are equally stunning ruins.
Of particular note is the site of the Great Mosque, the oldest one on the East African
coast, which has 16 domes that are supported by arches and pillars.
There’s also the site of the Palace of Husuni Kubwa, which looks over the island from one
of its highest points and was, for a long time, the largest structure in sub-Saharan
Africa.
Kilwa Kisiwani was well positioned to be successful, and was on the trading routes between Africa,
China, India, and Arabia.
Valuable treasures, such as Porcelain, Ivory, Quartz, Spices, and Tortoise Shells passed
through here, and it was only when the Portuguese built a fort on the island in the 16th century
that its trading dominance in the region began to wane.
2.
Abomey, Benin
Once the capital city of the kingdom of Dahomey of the Fon, Abomey is now a much quieter place,
but the evidence of its historical significance is still clear to see.
The Royal Palaces are a UNESCO world heritage site, and are now a museum to the ancient
kingdom, where you can see the remains of Kings, and lots of other artifacts that have
been found in the region.
The city was built in 1625, and thrived as a trade outpost.
The kings led violent wars, carried out human sacrifices, and were some of the most prolific
slave traders in Western Africa.
Despite their extreme mistreatment of people from outside their kingdom, they took care
of their own - ensuring that Abomey was a beautiful place, with a tall perimeter wall,
a very deep moat, and numerous markets, squares, and temples.
They built 12 royal palaces, but only 2 remain after the last king, Behanzin, was defeated
by the French and set fire to the city as he fled.
1.
Adam’s Calendar, South Africa
Located in Mpumalanga, South Africa…
Blaauwbosch Kraal, more commonly known as ‘Adam’s Calendar’, is an ancient megalithic
site.
The standing stone circle is about 100 feet in diameter, and is actually one of many stone
circle ruins that have been found throughout the mountains of South Africa.
It’s thought that there could be as many as 100,000 such ruins, but Adam’s Calendar
is the standout one.
It first came to attention in 2003 when a pilot, while rescuing one of his crew who
had crashed, walked over a ledge and saw the circle.
He was used to seeing structures like it from high up, but this was the first time he’d
seen one so close.
He realised that the stones were aligned to the compass points, as well as the equinoxes
and solstices… and after months of surveying, he became certain that it was a calendar-
and it still works perfectly as of today.
.
The thing that’s most amazing about this site, is that it’s believed to be at least
75,000 years old, with some estimates even suggesting it’s up to 160,000 years old.
This predates Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by many tens of thousands of years,
and makes it by far the oldest megalithic site to have ever been found.
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