Synopsis

This episode looks at the tremendous changes that took place across the continent between the 15th and 18th centuries.

Further Information

More clips from Africa's Great Civilisations

01: Origins | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 52'45''

Henry Louis Gates Jr looks at the discoveries that point to Africa as the genetic home of all currently living humanity.

02: The Cross and the Crescent | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 52'38''

Henry Louis Gates Jr explores how the emergence of Christianity and Islam reshaped Africa over centuries.

03: Empires of Gold | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 52'37''

Henry Louis Gates travels to the shores of the Sahara Desert to see the transformation of north and west Africa.

04: Cities | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 52'06''

This episode looks at the powerful, cosmopolitan cities that dotted Africa at the time when Europe was in its Middle Ages.

06: Clash of Civilisations | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 52'54''

The final episode reviews the 19th century, when a fierce competition for resources and trade led to conflicts.

Amanirenas | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'21''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates Amanirenas, the Queen of the Kingdom of Kush.

Ancient life in the Sahara | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'50''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates cave paintings which demonstrate that the Sahara was once a Savannah.

Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopia | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 5'25''

Throughout Ethiopian history, rulers have claimed links to King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the...

Early humans and the development of culture | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 5'06''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates early human migration from Africa and the development of culture...

Early Islam in Africa | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'43''

How Islam impacted Africa culturally and politically.

Iron technologies | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'22''

Henry Louis Gates investigates the early uses of Iron and the impacts it had on early societies in Africa.

Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'02''

Henry Louis Gates explores the ancient powerful settlement of Kerma, which was located in modern day Sudan.

King Ezana of Axum and Christianity | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'59''

King Ezana of Axum's decision to convert to Christianity changed the course of African history.

Lalibela | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 5'47''

In Ethiopia, the rock churches of Lalibela were part of a plan to build a new Jerusalem.

Monasticism | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 1'26''

The story of how monasticism emerged in Africa through the work of St Anthony in Egypt.

Nubian Christian frescoes | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'27''

A look at the beautiful and distinctive frescoes produced by Nubian Christians in the seventh and eighth centuries.

The development of complex societies in the Nile Valley | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'39''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates evidence of complex societies and creative cultures ...

The evolution of writing | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'42''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates the evolution of writing in Africa.

The Great Pyramid of Giza | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'17''

Henry Louis Gates Jr investigates the construction of the pyramids and the societies that created them.

The origins of humanity in Africa | Africa's Great Civilisations

BBC Four | 2018 | 5'08''

Henry Louis Gates Jr looks at the discoveries that point to Africa as the genetic home of all currently livi...

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05: The Atlantic Age | Africa’s Great Civilisations

Synopsis

More clips from Africa's Great Civilisations

More resources about Ancient Civilizations