Introduction
The continent of Africa has a rich history of art, dating back to early human civilizations. Some of these works include ceramics and metalwork, as well as rock paintings and sculpture.
The Awash River Cave.
The Awash River Cave is a rock shelter located near the village of Hadar in Ethiopia. It’s one of the most important archaeological sites in Africa, and it contains some of the earliest evidence of human life.
The Awash River Cave was discovered by Donald Johanson, who went on to found The Institute for Human Origins at Arizona State University. In 1973, he led an expedition there with his wife Tambi and their friend Maurice Taieb (who would later become director of CNRS). They were looking for evidence that hominids lived there 2 million years ago–and boy did they find it! The team found fossils belonging to Australopithecus afarensis (“Lucy”), as well as stone tools including hand axes made from quartzite or volcanic rock called basalt; these tools were thought then (and still are today) too advanced for early humans who had evolved without any knowledge about technology beforehand.*
The Hunter’s Head.
An example of Nok art is The Hunter’s Head, which was found in Igbo Ukwu, Nigeria. This terracotta sculpture dates back to around 900 – 1100 AD and depicts a man wearing traditional clothing and carrying a bow and arrow.
The Great Sphinx of Giza.
The Great Sphinx of Giza is a statue of a reclining or couchant sphinx, a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human. It’s located on the Giza Plateau on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt.
The Great Sphinx has been a guardian to this ancient land since it was built by Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 B.C., who ruled Egypt during its Fourth Dynasty (2575-2465 BC). Today it stands as an iconic symbol for all Egyptians and visitors alike to behold as they visit this wondrous land filled with history, culture and beauty!
Great Zimbabwe National Monument.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument is a World Heritage Site, located in southeastern Africa. The city was built by the ancestors of the Shona people and abandoned in the 15th century. It’s estimated that up to 18,000 people lived there at its peak; today, only ruins remain–but these are still impressive!
Meroe Pyramids Complex, Sudan.
The Meroe Pyramids Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in Sudan. The site consists of six pyramids, four of which are still standing today. These pyramids were built by the Nubian people who lived here during their golden age between 300 B.C to 300 A.D., and they’re believed to be burial places for kings and queens alike.
The largest pyramid at this site stands at 100 feet high with a base diameter of 250 feet (72 meters). It was constructed with mud bricks on top of sandstone blocks; archaeologists believe there may have been an inscription near its entranceway that gave details about who built it–but unfortunately due to erosion from wind-blown sand over time we can no longer read this inscription!
Nok Terracotta Sculptures, Nigeria/Bosnia & Herzegovina (14th century BC)
The Nok culture is a West African civilization that flourished between the 11th and 14th centuries AD. It was centered in what is now Nigeria, with settlements also in Cameroon and Niger.
The Nok terracotta sculptures are a type of terracotta sculpture found in Nok culture sites in Nigeria and Cameroon. They are usually human figures with exaggerated facial features, large heads and lips, elongated bodies (sometimes with legs folded under), hands placed on the chest or abdomen as if holding something there by force; an arm positioned behind the back may be bent at the elbow so as to form an angle greater than 180 degrees; feet may be flat on the ground or raised slightly off it; some figures have breasts (females) or enlarged buttocks (males).
Rock Art in the Sahara, Niger/Mali/Chad (circa 9000 BC)
Of all the types of African art, rock art is the most mysterious and intriguing. Rock paintings have been found in many different places around the world–and not just in Africa. The oldest examples date back to about 35,000 years ago!
There are two main types: petroglyphs (carvings on rock surfaces) and pictographs (paintings). Some scholars believe that these images were made as part of religious rituals or as part of storytelling traditions that passed down stories from generation to generation through oral history; others think they were meant as warnings against dangerous animals or natural phenomena like floods or earthquakes.
Tomb of Askia, Mali (1537-1543)
Askia is the name of the ruler. The tomb is in Gao, Mali, which was his capital. It was built between 1537 and 1543 as a mausoleum for Askia Mohamed Toure (1493-1528), who ruled over Songhai from 1493 until his death. At this time it was known as ‘Greater Songhai’ and stretched across much of West Africa but its influence declined following the death of Askia Mohamed Toure II’s successor in 1591.
The tomb remains one of Africa’s most impressive monuments: its layout follows Islamic principles while incorporating local architecture such as domes and arches into its design; there are also many inscriptions written in Arabic script throughout its interior walls
King’s Mosque and Palace Complex, Morocco (1480-1492)
The King’s Mosque and Palace Complex, Morocco (1480-1492) was built by Sultan Mohammed V. It consists of the Mosque, Royal Palace and Royal Library. The mosque is made of stone, marble and cedar while the royal palace has a courtyard with fountain in its center. The library was used as a school for children who attended classes there every day after attending prayers at nearby mosques.
Travel Africa to see some amazing works of art!
If you’re interested in learning more about African history and culture, travel to the continent is a great way to do so. There are many different types of art that can be found across the continent–from sculptures made out of wood or stone, to masks used in traditional ceremonies. You can also find paintings on canvas or other materials that depict important events or people from history. These works will give you insight into how artists have depicted life throughout history using their own unique styles and techniques!
Conclusion
There are many more African masterpieces that could be mentioned, but these are some of our favorites. If you’re planning on visiting Africa, make sure to check out these sites and see what they have to offer!
