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3: Early Civilizations of Africa and the Andes

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    72155
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    • 3.1: Sao
      This page discusses the Sao civilization, which flourished in Middle Africa from the 6th century BCE to the 16th century CE, mainly in present-day Cameroon and Chad. Renowned for their metallurgy and artistry, the Sao's history is poorly documented due to scarce written records. They are believed to have descended from Hyksos refugees. The civilization's decline could be attributed to conquest and Islamization, with modern ethnic groups like the Sara claiming heritage from the Sao.
    • 3.2: Ancient Carthage
      This page outlines the history of Ancient Carthage, a Phoenician civilization flourishing from around 650 BCE until its fall to Rome in 146 BCE. It highlights Carthage's advancements in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade, as well as its formidable military and navy. The Punic Wars, a series of conflicts with Rome from 265 to 146 BCE, stemmed from competing interests. Despite strong leaders, including Hannibal, Carthage's defeat resulted in Rome's dominance over the Mediterranean.
    • 3.3: The Caral Civilization
      This page discusses the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas, existing from the 30th to 18th centuries BCE in coastal Peru. It describes its extensive urban center with plazas and a major temple, highlighting its lack of ceramics and warfare while emphasizing monumental architecture and potential reliance on maritime resources.
    • 3.4: The Chavín Civilization
      This page outlines the Chavín civilization, active in northern Peru from 900-250 BCE, which progressed through three stages: Urabarriu, Chakinani, and Jarabarriu. Known for its unique architecture like the Chavín de Huántar temple, advanced acoustics, and metallurgy, it showcased an influential artistic style characterized by motifs of jaguars and eagles. The Lanzón symbolized a spiritual center.
    • 3.5: The Valdivia Culture
      This page discusses the Valdivia culture, one of the earliest in the Americas, flourishing in Ecuador between 3500-1800 BCE. They built circular communities with egalitarian social structures and were pioneers in pottery, creating the oldest known artifacts in the region. Engaging in agriculture, fishing, and hunting, they cultivated maize and cassava and developed a maritime trade network that valued Spondylus shells, highlighting their advancements in pottery and trade.


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