​Human life, which is understood to have begun in Africa, developed over millions of years and radiated beyond the continent of Africa.
The earliest African art dates to 77,000 years ago. While interpretation of this art is conjectural at best, the clarity and strength of
design and expression in the work is obvious.
Picture
Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. - link-

Major Civilizations
  • Nok (500 BCE-200 CE)               Nigeria
  • Great Zimbabwe (11th- 15th c.)   Zimbabwe
  • Ife Culture (11th-12th c.)              Nigeria
  • Aksum (1200-1527)                     Ethiopia
  • Benin (13th-19th c.)                     Nigeria
  • Mende (19th-20th c.)                   Sierra Leone
  • Kongo (19th-20th c.)                    Congo

KEY IDEAS
  • Centered around spirituality, the spirit world, and the role of ancestors is huge to incorporate into artworks
  • Fertility of man and of the land is key
  • Most common materials are wood, ivory, and metal
  • Mostly utilitarian, usually for ceremonies
  • Architecture is predominately mud brick, rarely stone
  • Stone used in Zimbabwe and Ethiopian churches