Africa

Ancient places can be found all over Africa. Their fascinating histories and impressive artifacts open intriguing glimpses to times past, and open up a window on African history. Visiting such historical places in Africa can be an unforgettable experience.

Science is constantly discovering new archaeological places and uncovering more evidence into what we once thought we knew about our history, therefore offering new pieces to the ever changing puzzle of humanity’s past and altering how we interpret it. This section will present ancient African history articles, highlighting the most interesting archaeological sites all over Africa, as well as new discoveries of ancient places that are worth paying a visit.

The Djoser pyramid during its restoration

26 July, 2024 - 17:35 Nathan Falde

Egypt’s Oldest Pyramid Could Have Been Built Using Hydraulic Lift Technology

There has long been speculation about how the pyramids of Egypt were constructed. While there may be no single answer to this question, a new study provides evidence to suggest that at least one of...

A large collection of gold foil objects retrieved at the Tel Al-Deir cemetery.

25 July, 2024 - 17:40 Sahir

Tombs and Gold Foils from the Ptolemaic Era Unearthed in Egypt’s Damietta

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered 63 mudbrick tombs and several simple burials containing a collection of gold foils from the 26th Dynasty of the Late Period. This correlates with the Ptolemaic...

A carved and painted wooden coffin

20 June, 2024 - 15:13 ashley cowie

Image of Egyptian High Priest’s Daughter Likened to Marge Simpson

After is discovery in 2023, Reddit readers have just picked up on the depiction of a character resembling Marge Simpson on the inner lid of a 3,500-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus. The coffin,...

6th-Century Ruins Uncovered in UAE Could Be the Lost City of Tuam

16 June, 2024 - 18:20 tania

6th-Century Ruins Uncovered in UAE Could Be the Lost City of Tu’am

Excavations in the Umm Al Quwain region of the United Arab Emirates have revealed 6th-century ruins that could correspond to the ancient city of Tu’am. Located on Al Sinniyah Island, the island forms...

Royal Palaces of Abomey

9 June, 2024 - 21:08 Sahir

Macabre Evidence Uncovered in West Africa Finds Palace Made of Blood!

In West Africa ’s tiny country of Benin, along the Gulf of Guinea, there's a palace with a construction history steeped in legend and macabre details. Located in Abomey, the legend says that this...

Egyptian sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun

2 June, 2024 - 23:01 Willem Witteveen

Crowns of the Pharaohs: Missing Artifacts or Artistic Symbols of Divinity?

In Ancient Egypt, the gods and pharaohs were depicted with a crown, which, according to Egyptologists, w as also taken into the grave for the afterlife. However, these crowns have never been found...

The research team stands in front of the pyramid of Unas’s Valley Temple, which acted as a river harbor in antiquity. Source: Eman Ghoneim/Nature

16 May, 2024 - 17:45 Nathan Falde

Research Shows Egyptian Pyramids Were Built Along Lost Branch of the Nile

One of the more interesting mysteries about the Giza pyramids , the most famous and visited relics from ancient Egypt, is their location. They were not constructed near a fertile oasis or on some...

Karanis, Egypt. Source: Einsamer Schütze/CC BY-SA 4.0

14 May, 2024 - 18:00 Sahir

New Revelation Ancient Greco-Roman Karanis Endured to 7th Century

New research has revolutionized our understanding of Karanis, an ancient Greco-Roman agricultural settlement nestled in the Fayum oasis of Egypt. Contrary to prior assumptions of abandonment in the...

The curious structure has been found in Giza’s prestigious Western Cemetery, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids. Source: Motoyuki Sato et al / Archaeological Prospection.

11 May, 2024 - 17:56 Sahir

Curious L-Shaped Structure Found near Giza Pyramids is 4,500-Years-Old

An international team of archaeologists has stumbled upon a mysterious L-shaped structure buried within a cemetery adjacent to the Great Pyramid of Khufu in Giza. The structure is 4,500 years and...

Khufu pyramid from the northeast view. Source: dynamofoto/Adobe Stock

11 May, 2024 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

Five More Fascinating Facts About Egypt's Pyramids (Video)

Dating back to approximately 2630 BC, the construction of the first pyramid marks a milestone nearly five millennia ago. Ancient Egypt's allure spans centuries, captivating minds with its rich...

A new study believes that uranium may be behind the curse of the pharaohs. Source: Shutter2U / Adobe Stock

27 April, 2024 - 15:06 Joe Green

There WAS a Curse! Was Deadly Radiation Behind the Curse of the Pharaohs?

When Howard Carter broke into the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1922, the treasures he found in the sealed chambers were not the only thing on his mind. He also feared a curse, the legendary curse of...

AI portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh king. Source: Andrea Raffin/Adobe Stock

19 April, 2024 - 17:40 Aleksa Vučković

Why Did Egyptian Pharaohs Have Five Names?

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were not merely rulers; they were considered divine beings, the living embodiments of gods on Earth. Their names were imbued with profound significance, reflecting their...

The Abydos Kings list cartouches in the Temple of Seti, Abydos. Source: Olaf Tausch/CC BY 3.0

2 April, 2024 - 14:50 mrreese

The Abydos King List Safeguards the Identities of 76 Egyptian Kings

Abydos is one of the oldest ancient Egyptian cities (3,100 – 332 BC) and is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Egypt. Many ancient temples and tombs can be found there, offering...

Left; part of one of the murals, Right; Entrance to the mastaba. Source: Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities

22 March, 2024 - 22:00 Gary Manners

Mastaba With Stunning Murals Unearthed in Dahshur Necropolis

In the shadow of the ancient pyramids of Dahshur, a remarkable discovery has once again highlighted Egypt's enduring legacy as a cradle of human civilization. Thanks to the diligent efforts of a...

Archaeologists on site after excavations revealed several miniature pyramids in Sedeinga in Sudan. Source: Vincent Francigny / SEDAU

15 February, 2024 - 13:39 johnblack

The Mystery of the Miniature Pyramids of Sedeinga in Sudan

From the iconic pyramids of Egypt to the lesser-known discoveries in Sudan, a journey through ancient history unveils intriguing mysteries. While Egypt's pyramid monuments loom large, Sudan's...

Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Nigeria. A sacred forest along the banks of the Osun River just outside the city of Osogbo in Osun State. Source: Oloyedejuwonlo/CC BY-SA 4.0

27 January, 2024 - 13:51 Aleksa Vučković

Osun Sacred Grove: Where A West African Spiritual Tradition Flourishes

The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, located on the outskirts of Osogbo in southwestern Nigeria, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural and spiritual significance. This sacred forest,...

11th Dynasty model of Nubian archers in the Egyptian army, from a tomb in Asyut (2130–1991 BC). Source: Aidan McRae Thomson/CC BY-SA 2.0

5 January, 2024 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

Five Mysteries About Ancient Nubia (Video)

Ancient Nubia , a region south of Egypt, boasts a rich history shrouded in mysteries that have often been overlooked. The first mystery revolves around the relative obscurity of Nubian civilization...

The Elusive Quest: The Search for Antony and Cleopatra's Lost Tomb

2 January, 2024 - 14:01 dhwty

The Elusive Quest: The Search for Antony and Cleopatra's Lost Tomb

When it comes to ancient love stories, few couples have captured the imagination quite like Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Their passionate romance, set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire’s...

Banganarti site in 2014. Source: Albertinese/CC BY-SA 4.0

25 December, 2023 - 16:57 Lex Leigh

The Raphaelion, the Ancient Christian Faith Center of Banganarti

Banganarti, a famous archaeological site on the eastern bank of the Nile, is one of the most popular sites in Sudan. Within this site is the Raphaelion, a church that dates back to the 7th century AD...

Andriamamelo cave art panel. Madagascar cave art is leading to curious conclusions. Source: Author provided

13 December, 2023 - 21:56 ancient origins

Madagascar Cave Art Reveals Captivating Africa-Asia Connections

David Burney / The Conversation Unique, prehistoric rock art drawings have been discovered in the Andriamamelo Cave in western Madagascar. I was part of a team that discovered and described these...

Great Zimbabwe wall and tower. Source: Jan Van Der Voort/Adobe Stock

13 December, 2023 - 19:58 Robbie Mitchell

Reclaiming African History- The Lost City Of Zimbabwe (Video)

In the heart of southern Africa lies Great Zimbabwe , a silent witness to the intricate tapestry of an ancient civilization. Initially dubbed the work of a mythical white society by colonialists, the...

Ancient mud-brick city of Timbuktu, the most important center of the Malian Empire. Source: Uolir/Adobe Stock

12 December, 2023 - 16:00 Robbie Mitchell

The Malian Empire and the Richest Man in History (Video)

In 1235 AD, the Malian Empire emerged from the shadows of the fallen Ghanan Empire, its epic origins recounted in the oral tradition of West Africa. Sundiata Keita , the Lion King, plays a central...

Modern Carthage sea view with ancient Carthage ruins in foreground. Source: Valery Bareta /Adobe Stock

1 December, 2023 - 01:00 Robbie Mitchell

How Carthage Became One of History’s Greatest Empires (Video)

Carthage's rise, often eclipsed by its tragic fall during the Punic Wars against Rome, unfolds as a tale of strategic brilliance and adaptability. Founded in modern-day Tunisia , the city...

Archaeologists were astounded when they discovered a mutilated mummy within a humble burial chamber in Luxor's 'Valley of the Kings. Source: YouTube Screenshot/Smithsonian Channel

28 November, 2023 - 19:56 Robbie Mitchell

Archaeologists Aghast at the Discovery of a Mutilated Mummy in Egypt (Video)

Within a humble tomb designated as KV64 nestled in Luxor's revered 'Valley of the Kings,' archaeologists made a disconcerting discovery. Beneath the unassuming exterior and a small coffin lay an...

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