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AFRICA
How Geography Affected the Development of the First Civilizations and it's People Today
The Nok Civilization
The Nok was the earliest-known culture in West Africa. They first lived in modern-day Nigeria, from 500-200BC. They were the first West African civilization to smelt iron, and used it in making tools for farming, and weapons. They also used the clay in the region to make pottery.
The development of the Nok was strongly influenced by the area were they lived. Because they were the first civilization in West Africa, they were able to pick prime land between the Niger and Benue Rivers.
That they could have smelted iron tools and weapons suggests that the land they lived on was rich in metals and other materials.
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