Four-part series in which British art historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford explores the pre-colonial history of some of Africa's most important kingdoms. The African continent is home to nearly a billion people. It has an incredible diversity of communities and cultures, yet we know less of its history than almost anywhere else on earth. But that is beginning to change. In the last few decades, researchers and archaeologists have begun to uncover a range of histories as impressive and extraordinary as anywhere else in the world. The series reveals that Africa's stories are preserved for us in its treasures, statues and ancient buildings - in the culture, art and legends of the people. Casely-Hayford traces the origins of this fascinating kingdom back to 10,000 BC. He explores how it developed and what happened to it and its people, discovering that its kings once ruled Ancient Egypt and that it was defeated not by its rivals but by its environment.

Episode 1: Nubia

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The first episode looks at Nubia, in what is now northern Sudan, a kingdom that dominated a vast are...

2010-01-05 60min

Episode 2: Ethiopia

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Art historian Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of the old African kingdom of Ethiopia, which...

2010-01-12 60min

Episode 3: Great Zimbabwe

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Gus Casely-Hayford explores the history of Great Zimbabwe, a symbol of African genius which gives an...

2010-01-19 60min

Episode 4: West Africa

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Gus Casely-Hayford travels to Nigeria and Mali to explore the story behind a series of magnificent 1...

2010-01-26 60min