African History and the Transformation of Modern Society

Abstract

The history of Africa spanned through the cultural development of man and his environment from the earliest times to the Iron Age period. In African history, this period has often been described as pre-history or proto-history. It covers the period when the earliest creature identified as man came into existence and his efforts since then to master and to relate to his environment. This early creature utilized stone tools, became a hunter, wonderer, gatherer and gradually learnt to domesticate animals. He achieved a settle life and domesticated crops. Each of these achievements resulted to revolutionary changes in his life. He embarked on the organization of social life and due to that, communities came into existence. His discovery, invention, mastery and use of iron technology transformed not only the man himself but also his environment. As a result of these changes, great civilization emerged. The early man developed through different stages, these are the Stone Age, domestication of animals and crops, the evolution of settled communities and the use of Iron. The development and progress of modern society through this early creature in Africa and how he made these achievements constitute the discourse of this paper.

Keyword: African, Transformation, Society, Modern, History.