Ep 4. Cities | Hour Four

In season 1 episode 4 of Africa's Great Civilizations, titled "Cities | Hour Four," we delve into the history of Africa's urban centers. Dr. Gates travels to ancient Meroë in Sudan, where he reveals the city's rich history as a center of trade and culture. He explores the remains of temples, palaces, and other structures that once stood in the thriving metropolis, offering insight into the ways in which ancient civilizations adapted to changing circumstances.

Next, Dr. Gates heads to Cairo, Egypt to examine the extraordinary city planning and architecture of the ancient Egyptians. He visits the Great Sphinx, the Pyramids of Giza, and other marvels of the ancient city, discussing the engineering feats that made such monumental structures possible, as well as the cultural and religious significance of these landmarks.

Moving on to the southern city of Mapungubwe in South Africa, Dr. Gates examines the sophisticated urban planning and metallurgy of the city's inhabitants. He discusses the economic, political, and social factors that led to the city's rise to prominence, as well as the factors that contributed to its eventual decline and abandonment.

Finally, Dr. Gates travels to the fabled city of Timbuktu in Mali, where he explores the legacy of African scholarship and intellectualism. He talks to local residents and historians to gain a deeper understanding of the city's importance as a center of learning, where scholars from across the Islamic world came to study and exchange ideas.

Through these journeys and conversations, Dr. Gates paints a vivid picture of Africa's rich urban history and its contributions to the development of world civilization. He shows how the various cultures of Africa came together in urban centers to create vibrant, dynamic communities, and how these communities left their mark on the world through their architectural achievements, engineering feats, intellectual contributions, and trade networks. "Cities | Hour Four" is a testament to the power of urban centers to shape the course of human history.