Ancient African Innovations: The Untold Story of Pre-Colonial Technology and Science

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Introduction

Before colonial influence, Africa was a center of scientific discovery, engineering, and medical advancement.

Technological innovations enabled African societies to adapt to environmental changes and meet their basic needs.

The following are some of the technologies developed across the continent:

1. Advanced Metallurgy and Toolmaking.

The Nok people in Nigeria were among the first Africans to practice iron smelting around 1000 BCE. 

From iron, they made tools like hand hoes, axes and knives, and weapons like arrows and spears. These tools improved farming and fighting.

In Tanzania, the Haya people built local furnaces that made strong steel.

West African blacksmiths like the Mande and Yoruba made farming tools, weapons, and ceremonial items like hoes, axes, arrows, spears, traps, and knives.


Bronze and Copper Casting

The Benin Kingdom was known for its decorated bronze sculptures made using a method called lost-wax casting, which is still used today.

The Nubians of Sudan were also skilled in designing copper tools and jewelry, like rings, necklaces, and bracelets.


Goldsmithing and Trade

The Akan people of Ghana and the Mali Empire practiced mining and gold processing and used it to make money and jewelry that supported trade across the Sahara Desert.

Gold was so abundant in Mali that when its ruler, Mansa Musa, visited Egypt in 1324, he distributed such a large quantity that it caused an economic crisis.

2. Agricultural Innovations.

Terracing and Irrigation. 
  • The Engaruka people in Tanzania built an irrigation and terracing system, conserving water in arid environments.
  • The Aksumite Empire (Ethiopia) built underground canals and water basins (dams) to supply water for farm irrigation.
Soil Conservation and Farming.
  • Ethiopian highland farmers practiced crop rotation and soil conservation to prevent land degradation.
  • The Shona people of Zimbabwe used shifting cultivation to maintain soil fertility.

Domestication of Crops

  • Indigenous African crops such as millet, sorghum, yams, and cowpeas serve as examples of agricultural innovation in Africa, which was important in food production.
  • The Sahelian region cultivated drought-resistant plants like fava beans and chickpeas, to ensure food security in semi-arid climates.

3. Architecture and Engineering.

  • Great Zimbabwe: A Stone City Without Mortar.                                                      The Great Zimbabwe ruins (11th–15th century) are evidence to dry-stone masonry. Tall stone walls were built without mortar. Some walls reach over 10 meters, showing an advanced understanding of load distribution and stability.
  • Sudano-Sahelian Architecture: The Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali is one of the largest mud-brick buildings in the world. It is decorated with symmetrical patterns and includes wooden beams that allow for easy maintenance and structural support.
  • Underground Cities and Rock-Hewn Churches. These churches were carved directly into rock during the 12th Century, For example the Ethiopia’s Lalibela churches.
  • The Konso people from the Southern highlands of Ethiopia built underground homes to protect themselves from harsh weather and enemies.

4. Medicine and Healthcare.

African traditional practitioners used plants like neem, aloe vera, and baobab to make local remedies for treating infections, wounds, and chronic diseases.

For example, The San people of Kalahari desert in Southern Africa developed plant-based remedies for pain relief, fever, and digestion.

Surgery and Bone-Setting

  • Traditional surgeons in Uganda, Mali, and South Africa performed bone-setting, wound stitching, and even skull surgeries (trepanation), by using iron scalpels and herbal antiseptics.
  • Smallpox Inoculation. This was an early method that involved exposing individuals to a mild form of smallpox to build immunity. This method probably influenced European medicine.

5. Maritime and Transportation Technologies.

Africans were skilled in shipbuilding, navigation, and long-distance trade.

  • The Swahili people built large wooden dhows, enabling trade with India, Persia, and Arabia.
  • The Malagasy people (Madagascar) used outrigger canoes, something that indicates advanced shipbuilding knowledge.

  • Desert Navigation and Camel Caravans. The Tuareg and Berbers were skilled in desert transport. They used stars and wind patterns to identify directions when crossing the Sahara desert.      Camel caravans were organized to transport commodities such as, gold, salt, and textiles across the Sahara Desert, to Middle East and Europe.

6. Textile and Leatherwork.

African artisans created high-quality textiles and leather commodities with attractive designs.

Cotton Weaving and Dyeing.

  • The Kente cloth of Ghana was woven by the Asante people. It was a symbol of royalty and status.
  • The people of Mali made indigo-dyed fabrics which were produced using advanced dyeing process, making them highly valuable.
  • The Hausa and Tuareg communities were well known for their high-quality leather production. They supplied shoes, bags, and saddles to different regions in Africa.

7. Astronomy and Mathematics.

Astronomy

Before colonial intrusion, the Dogon people of Mali had detailed knowledge of Sirius B, a star invisible to the naked eye, even before the invention of modern telescopes.

Ancient Egyptians and Nubians developed solar calendars to understand time and seasonal changes. 

These Calendars were very useful in determining the appropriate farming seasons.

Mathematics

The Ishango bone (c. 20,000 BCE, which was found in the Congo) is one of the oldest mathematical artifacts. It shows early arthmetic and time calculation advancements.

The Yoruba number system used a base 20 mathematical approach, showing advanced arthmetic concepts that had been achieved before colonialism.

conclusion

The colonial intrusion caused technological disruptions and stagnation but some survived and continue to be used today.

Africa’s history of scientific and engineering achievements and transformations, deserves recognition and appreciation.


Related topics:

Development of economic activities in pre-colonial Africa.

https://historyforumtz.blogspot.com/2020/05/development-of-economic-activities-and.html

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