Editing Africa (section)

=== Prehistory ===

Africa is central to the study of human origins. Fossil and archaeological evidence from eastern, southern, central, and northern Africa shows long periods of hominin development. Early stone tools, controlled use of fire, symbolic objects, and burial evidence are part of this prehistoric record.

Early modern humans emerged in Africa before spreading to other regions of the world. Communities adapted to many environments, including grasslands, forests, coasts, river valleys, lakes, mountains, and deserts. Changes in climate influenced settlement, migration, and subsistence patterns.

The development of pastoralism and agriculture occurred at different times across the continent. In the Sahara, earlier humid phases supported lakes, grasslands, animals, and human settlement. As the Sahara became drier, populations moved toward the Nile Valley, the Sahel, West Africa, and other regions. These changes helped shape later patterns of agriculture, trade, and settlement.