A POLYCENTRIC WORLD

(Africa)

I. West Africa: Niger River Valley

A. Before Urbanization

1. iron smelting

2. new artistic traditions

3. spread of agricultural civilization

B. Jenne-jeno

1. How do we know?

Susan & Roderick McIntosh (1977)

2. What do we know?

a) physical form

b) buried their dead in urns

c) grouping of family huts

d) engaged in trade

C. State Formation

1. alternative urbanization (without government)

2. conventional urbanization (at an early stage)

II. The First Cities: What difference does it make?

A. Mesopotamia & Egypt --> "master narrative"

1. walls & residences

2. social hierarchy & government

3. monumental architecture (cosmo-magical)

4. specialization & trade

5. technology & writing

B. Other urban centers

1. India

2. China

3. Americas

4. Africa