Skip to main content
A view of a misty valley shot from above.

Africa's Great Civilizations

Africa's Great Civilizations

In his 6-hour series, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. This is a breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of history, from the origins, on the African continent, of art, writing, and civilization itself.

There are no episodes available to stream at this time. Explore more shows.

Support Provided By
Interview with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
2:00
Learn more about Africa's Great Civilizations with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
The Country of Angola | Africa's Great Civilizations
5:18
A quarter of all slaves who crossed the Atlantic started from what is today Angola.
The City of M'banza-Kongo | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:42
The Kingdom of Kongo was one of the largest and most powerful in the southern half Africa.
The Kingdom of Dahomey | Africa's Great Civilizations
3:15
Dahomey contained a vast complex of royal palaces and a unique canon of art.
City of Meroe | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:31
Explore the Great City of Meroe, third and last capital of the Ancient Kingdom of Kush.
City of Timbuktu | Africa's Great Civilizations
1:41
The heart of ancient Timbuktu’s intellectual life was its libraries.
City of Ile Ife | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:13
Explore ancient African civilizations and the origin story of Ile Ife.
Afro Combs | Africa's Great Civilizations
1:48
Did you know that afro combs were used in ancient African civilizations?
Lalibela | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:58
Explore 12 churches that were carved out of rock in the ancient Ethiopian highlands.
Ironworking | Africa's Great Civilizations
3:09
Did you know that the invention of ironworking has its roots in Africa?
City of Marrakesh | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:44
When it was founded in the year 1070, Marrakesh was a center of politics and law.
The City of Great Zimbabwe | Africa's Great Civilizations
2:36
The Great Enclosure of Great Zimbabwe conveyed majesty, wealth, and architectural genius.
Active loading indicator