-
500 BCE
Iron smelting in Nigeria and central Niger.
500 BCE - Evidence of iron smelting in Nigeria and central Niger. -
300
Ghana comes into power
Ghana was the first of the three early African empires, 300 CE -
800
Islam spreads
800 CE- The religion of Islam begins to spread through Africa -
1000
Ghana forced Awdaghast to accept its rule
Ghana forced Awdaghast to accept its rule -
1000
Iron technology spreads to the rest of Africa
Iron technology spreads out tho the rest of Africa. -
1152
Gold coin found in Morocco
1148-1163 - Gold coin with thin, circular with double square and Arabic script, pearled border. -
1200
Mali comes into power
Mali came next 1200 CE -
1200
Ghana declines
- Many different reasons for Ghana's decline. Ghana was totally eclipsed by the Mali Empire of Sundiata.
- Drought also caused the decline
- The King lost his trading monopoly.
- Invasion from outside forces
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1200
Headrest made in Mali
Wood headrest ornamented with horse heads projecting from both sides of the rectangular base, which is itself decorated with triangular chip-carved motifs around the top and sides. A rectangular cavity is carved in the center of the seat. A small animal head, probably a horse, projects from the lower portion of the base. -
1235
Malinke emerges under a new ruler
Malinke emerged under a new dynamic ruler, Sundiata Keita -
1300
Equestrian figure made in Mali
13th century to 15th century
Equestrian figure with a quiver slung across the back diagonally from the right shoulder down. -
1320
Abubakar II's successor, Mansa Musa was immortalised
Abubakar II's successor, Mansa Musa (1312-1337) was immortalised in the descriptions of Arab writers, -
1324
Mansa Musa makes his magnificent pilgramage
Mansa Musa he made his magnificent pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324. -
1400
Object called Manilla
12th to 18th century-
Copper ring forged from a cast ingot into a hexagonal bar. The ends are heavily "upset" or compressed into a button head and then bent into a C shape. There is a dark patina with highlights from wear, and this is the larger of two like objects in this donation. -
1400
Tuared launches succcessful raids on Timbuktu
In the early 1400's, Tuareg launched a number of successful raids on Timbuktu. They did not disrupt scholastic life or commercial activity, but fatally undermined the government by appropriating taxes for themselves. -
1464
Songhai comes into power
Songhai, the last of these three great empires, starts in1464. It started under the control of the Mali Empire -
1493
Mohammed Ture seized power
After Sonni Ali's death one of his generals, Mohammed Ture, seized power in 1493. He was a devout Muslim of Soninke origin, who established the Askiya dynasty. Continuing the expansion of Songhay that Sonni Ali had started, he brought Songhay to the height of its power. -
1500
Copper ingot currency found in Democratic Republic of Congo
13th-17th century
Small copper ingot currency or croisettes of the HX type. This group of 5 ingots shows stable oxidation with some minor pitting. Mold form ridges are visible on the underside. -
1500
Mali totally eclipsed by Sonhay
Meanwhile Gao had become the capital of the burgeoning Songhay Empire which, by 1500, had totally eclipsed Mali. But the idea of Mali regaining its former splendour and glory, remained strong in the minds of many Mandinka for generations to come. -
1500
Mali declines
- Decline: weak and inneficient rulers caused Mali to be a weaker force. Their power was reduced making them vulnerable
- civil wars
-
1510
Leo Africanus visited Gao
In 1510 and 1513, The Spanish Moroccan writer and traveller Leo Africanus visited Gao, the capital of Songhay. He was amazed at the wealth of the ruling class. -
1570
Sonhay goes into a civil war
In the late 16th century Songhay slid into civil war. The wealth and power of Songhay was also undermined by environmental change, causing droughts and diseases. But Songhay might have survived all this. The decisive factor in its downfall was the determination of the Moroccans to control the sub-Saharan gold trade. -
Songhay declines
Songhay declines in the year 1591 -
Morocco invades Songhay
In 1591 the Moroccan army invaded. The Songhay were caught unawares and were defeated by the superior fire power of the Moroccan army. Morocco won the war but lost the peace. The Sultans of Morocco eventually lost interest.