Top Cinema 2026 Movies 2025 Movies 2024 Movies Action Horror Comedy Thriller

Africa's Great Civilizations

Africa's Great Civilizations

Africa's Great Civilizations

2017 1 Seasons 6 Episodes ⭐ 7.7 Documentary

Henry Louis Gates Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. 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, through the millennia in which Africa and Africans shaped not only their own rich civilizations, but also the wider world.

Henry Louis Gates Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. 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, through the millennia in which Africa and Africans shaped not only their own rich civilizations, but also the wider world.

Seasons & Episodes

EP 1

Origins

Journey with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to Kenya, Egypt and beyond as he discovers the origins of man, the formati

EP 2

The Crescent and the Cross

Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. charts the ancient rise of Christianity and Islam, whose economic and cultural influence

EP 3

Empires of Gold

Henry Louis Gates Jr. uncovers the complex trade networks and advanced educational institutions that transformed early n

EP 4

Cities

Gates explores the power of Africa’s greatest ancient cities, including Kilwa, Great Zimbabwe and Benin City, whose we

EP 5

The Atlantic Age

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the impact of the Atlantic trading world, giving rise to powerful new kingdoms, but also

EP 6

Clash of Civilizations

Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the dynamism of 19th century Africa, the “scramble” by European powers for its riches

Popular Cast

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Self - Presenter