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Global African History Timelines: To 1800

Global African American History Timelines:

To 1800

After 1801

This timeline covers all the events not listed on the African American History or African American History in the West timelines.

Year Events SubjectCountryEra

5-2.5 million BCE Skeletal remains uncovered suggest the Rift Valley in East Africa is home to the earliest human ancestors. 00-01 Early Human Ancestors

Ethiopia

1492-1600

4-2.7 million BCE Hominid species Australopithicus afarensis lived in the Hadar region of Ethiopia, including Lucy, the famous skeletal remains found in 1974. 00-01a Early Human Ancestors

Ethiopia

1492-1600

600,000 to 200,000 BCE Period of migration across the African continent and out of Africa to Asia and Europe. Fire is first used during this period. 00-01aa African Migration

n.a.

1492-1600

6000-4000 BCE Spread of agriculture across Africa. River societies emerge along the Nile, Niger, and Congo Rivers. 00-01ab African Migration

n.a.

1492-1600

5000 BCE (ca.) Egyptian agriculturalists develop irrigation and animal husbandry to transform the lower Nile Valley. The rise in the food supply generates a rapidly increasing population. Agricultural surpluses and growing wealth allow specialization including glass making, pottery, metallurgy, weaving, woodworking, leather making, and masonry. 00-02 Ancient Egypt

Egypt

1492-1600

4500 BCE (ca.) Egyptians begin using burial texts to accompany their dead into the afterlife. This is the first evidence of written texts anywhere in the world. 00-03 Ancient Egypt

Egypt

1492-1600

4000 BCE (ca.) Egypt emerges as a centralized state and flourishing civilization. 00-04 Ancient Egypt

Egypt

1492-1600

2700-1087 BCE (ca.) Period of the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt and Northeastern Africa. 00-05 Ancient Egypt

Egypt

1492-1600

2500 BCE (ca.) Other civilizations emerge in Mesopotamia, northern China,