Blog 7: Africa

According the text, life in early Africa was challenging, at best. With less fertile soils caused by higher temperatures and decomposition of vegetables, crop growth was a nightmare. Scarier still were the insects and parasites living in this climate, as they carried diseases which threatened humans. Life was not easy in Africa. Yet, somehow, a culture thrived in the Nile Valley. In this area, people were able to herd and farm with some success. Industry also thrived thanks to iron smelting as well as the manufacturing of iron tolls and weapons. This area was also heavily involved in trading on both the sand road and the sea road. The iron tools and weapons were an important export for this area. While the Nile Valley was not the only area of Africa to find stability, it was very successful in sustaining more ancient traditions of Africa rather than conforming or adopting newer ideals.