Skip to main content
Donate
A view of a misty valley shot from above.

Africa's Great Civilizations

Africa's Great Civilizations

In his 6-hour series, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. This is a breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of history, from the origins, on the African continent, of art, writing, and civilization itself.
Commerce and the Clash of Civilizations | Hour Six
Episode
Commerce and the Clash of Civilizations | Hour Six

There are no episodes available to stream at this time. Explore more shows.

Support Provided By
City of Ile Ife
2:13
City of Ile Ife
Explore ancient African civilizations and the origin story of Ile Ife.
The Country of Angola
5:18
The Country of Angola
A quarter of all slaves who crossed the Atlantic started from what is today Angola.
The City of M'banza-Kongo
2:42
The City of M'banza-Kongo
The Kingdom of Kongo was one of the largest and most powerful in the southern half Africa.
The Kingdom of Dahomey
3:15
The Kingdom of Dahomey
Dahomey contained a vast complex of royal palaces and a unique canon of art.
Afro Combs
1:48
Afro Combs
Did you know that afro combs were used in ancient African civilizations?
Lalibela
2:58
Lalibela
Explore 12 churches that were carved out of rock in the ancient Ethiopian highlands.
City of Meroe
2:31
City of Meroe
Explore the Great City of Meroe, third and last capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Kush.
Ironworking
3:09
Ironworking
Did you know that the invention of ironworking has its roots in Africa?
Active loading indicator