Table of Contents
- 1 What was the importance of iron in the growth of African civilization?
- 2 What was the importance of iron works in West Africa around 600 BCE?
- 3 How did the use of iron change farming in Africa?
- 4 How did iron factor in the development of the West African kingdoms?
- 5 What role do you think iron play in the emergence of agrarian economy?
What was the importance of iron in the growth of African civilization?
Iron played a central role in many societies of early Africa. It held both spiritual and material power. Physically, Africans used iron to create tools for agriculture, utensils for everyday life, and weapons for protection and conquest (Shillington, 2012, p. 45).
What was the importance of iron works in West Africa around 600 BCE?
The fabrication of iron tools and weapons allowed for the kind of extensive systematized agriculture, efficient hunting, and successful warfare necessary to sustain large urban centers.
What is the significance of iron weapons in the Kongo Kingdom?
By the late 1960s some surprisingly early radiocarbon dates had been obtained for iron smelting sites in both Niger and central Africa (Rwanda, Burundi), reviving the view that iron-making was independently invented by Africans in sub-Saharan Africa as far back as 3600 BCE.
How did iron tools impact the Kingdom of Ghana?
How did iron tools impact the Kingdom of Ghana? Used it to conquer neighboring tribes also used it for farming. What subjects could scholars study at the University of Sankore? Medicine, Chemistry, Math, Astronomy, Philosophy, Art.
How did the use of iron change farming in Africa?
This reflected on the West Africans dependence on the world for survival. How did the use of iron change farming? Iron blades allowed people to cut down trees and clear land for farms, this caused the population to grow. Also, a new gardening tool was made from iron.
How did iron factor in the development of the West African kingdoms?
In addition to the gold trade, historians have pointed to a second important factor in the development of these West African Kingdoms. This was the use of iron. The use of iron to make tools and weapons helped some people to expand their control over neighboring people.
How did the use of iron in transport and warfare help in the progress of civilization after the Bronze Age?
Ferrous metallurgy led to production of carbon steel. When carbon steel became popular, it became easier to produce weapons and wheels in large quantities. Invention of the iron wheel led to the use of bullock carts and horse driven carts for travel.
Why were iron weapons important to the Kingdom of Ghana’s control of trade?
As trade in gold and salt increased, Ghana’s rulers gained power. Eventually, they built up armies equipped with iron weapons that were superior to the weapons of nearby people. Over time, Ghana took control of trade from merchants. They used their wealth to build an army and an empire.
What role do you think iron play in the emergence of agrarian economy?
With the use of these iron tools, people could easily clean the forests to cultivate lands and brought a large land under cultivation. Iron helped people to finish their task of clearing the land quicker than ever and thus contributed to the expansion of agriculture.