<P> Colonial boundaries are reflected in the modern boundaries between contemporary West African states , cutting across ethnic and cultural lines , often dividing single ethnic groups between two or more states . Early human settlers arrived in West Africa around 12,000 BCE . In the fifth millennium , as the ancestors of modern West Africans began entering the area , the development of sedentary farming began to take place in West Africa . The Iron industry , in both smelting and forging for tools and weapons , appeared in Sub-Saharan Africa by 1200 BCE , and by 400 BCE , contact had been made with the Mediterranean civilisations , and a regular trade included exporting gold , cotton , metal , and leather in exchange for copper , horses , salt , textiles , and beads . Culture developed further with the Nok culture ( 1000 BCE to 200 or 300 BCE ) , Serer people 's ancient history , and construction of the Senegambian stone circles ( between the third century B.C. and the sixteenth century C.E. ) . The Sahelian kingdoms were a series of kingdoms or empires that were built on the sahel , the area of grasslands south of the Sahara . They controlled the trade routes across the desert , and were also quite decentralised , with member cities having a great deal of autonomy . The Ghana Empire may have been established as early as the 4th century CE . It was succeeded by the Sosso in 1230 , the Mali Empire in the 13th century CE , and later by the Songhai and Sokoto Caliphate . There were also a number of forest empires and states in this time period . </P>
<P> Colonial boundaries are reflected in the modern boundaries between contemporary West African states , cutting across ethnic and cultural lines , often dividing single ethnic groups between two or more states . Early human settlers arrived in West Africa around 12,000 BCE . In the fifth millennium , as the ancestors of modern West Africans began entering the area , the development of sedentary farming began to take place in West Africa . The Iron industry , in both smelting and forging for tools and weapons , appeared in Sub-Saharan Africa by 1200 BCE , and by 400 BCE , contact had been made with the Mediterranean civilisations , and a regular trade included exporting gold , cotton , metal , and leather in exchange for copper , horses , salt , textiles , and beads . Culture developed further with the Nok culture ( 1000 BCE to 200 or 300 BCE ) , Serer people 's ancient history , and construction of the Senegambian stone circles ( between the third century B.C. and the sixteenth century C.E. ) . The Sahelian kingdoms were a series of kingdoms or empires that were built on the sahel , the area of grasslands south of the Sahara . They controlled the trade routes across the desert , and were also quite decentralised , with member cities having a great deal of autonomy . The Ghana Empire may have been established as early as the 4th century CE . It was succeeded by the Sosso in 1230 , the Mali Empire in the 13th century CE , and later by the Songhai and Sokoto Caliphate . There were also a number of forest empires and states in this time period . </P>
which area of medieval africa was most associated with the production of salt
which area of medieval africa was most associated with the production of salt
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa