-
300
Control of salt and gold export
From 300AD to 1200AD Ancient Ghana controlled all salt and gold export in the area. This made them very powerful. Ancient Ghana coins -
300
The start of Ancient Ghana (?)
Ancient Ghana was formed by Soninke people (modern Senegal) with the leader Dinga Cisse. It is not clear when this empire started: it is thought to be anywhere from 300AD to 800AD, but 800AD is the "official"date. The literature is also very conflicted on this point. The real name of this empire is "The Soninke Kingdom" and Ghana was the title of the king (it meant "warrior king"). This is why the country of Ghana uses this name today. http://www.kidspast.com/images/Songhai.jpg -
300
Discovery of Iron
300AD iron was dicovered and put to use in warfare as well as used for trading. -
Jan 1, 610
Mohammed called prophet
In 610AD Mohammed is called prophet. This is a significant date in Ancient Ghana histroy because it was Islam and Muslims who defeated and conquered Ancient Ghana. Mohammed called a prophet -
Jan 1, 1000
The peak of the Ghana Empire
1000AD was the peak of the Ghana Empire. map showing the peak of the Ghana Empire -
Jan 1, 1040
Bassi took the throne
1040AD Bassi took the throne to be the second last ruler of Ancient Ghana until 1062AD -
Jan 1, 1054
Ibn Yasin captures Aoudaghast
1054AD Ibn Yasin (an Almoravid) marched south and captured Ghana's citiy of Aoudaghast. -
Jan 1, 1062
Muslims from the north invade Ghana
Although the Ghanaians never converted to Isam like most of Northern Africa, they did allow Muslims to move and live among them. Sadly, this led to their downfall; A group of Muslims decided to take over. They called themsleves Almoravids and in 1062AD started breaking Ghana into pieces. Islamic mosque -
Jan 1, 1062
Tunka Manin takes the throne
1062AD Tunka Manin takes the throne until 1076AD -
Jan 1, 1076
The decline of Ancient Ghana
Under the leadership of the Almoravide leader Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar the empire of Ghana was conquered by seizing the capital of Ghana. built by Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar -
Jan 1, 1076
Abu Bakr captures Ghana's capital
1076AD Abu Bakr captures Ghana'a capital: Kumbi Saleh -
Jan 1, 1180
Short term rise
From 1180AD to 1230AD a small group called the Soso who were very anit-muslim. They held on to a small part of original Ancient Ghana. -
Jan 1, 1240
Ancient Ghana joins Sundiata Empire
Ancient Ghana's remains were incorporated into the Sundiata Empire of Mali. King of the Sundiata Empire of Mali -
Ancient Ghana "officially founded"
Ancient Ghana was "officially" created in 800AD. There are many legends and stories that state that it was founded earlier, even as early as 300AD. Everything before this date is questionable. Ghanaian mask - Mother Earth -
Ancient Ghana captures awdaghast
Ancient Ghana attacks and captures awdaghast, (a city along the trans-Saharan trade route), enlarging their ever-expanding empire.
