[gleeaikin]

Here is an interesting link describing and displaying in maps the developement of civilization in subsaharan Africa. The article differentiates among Christian, Islamic, and Traditional origins.

http://www.essential-humanities.net/world-history/sub-saharan-africa/

[Fred Nerks]

One thing leads to another, I've now spent the entire morning ordering recommended books from Amazon, reading past posts about possible vast agricultural regions in Africa, and tracing legends about ocean voyages...and now I'm up to ancient copper mines on the Isle Royale in Lake Superior...

The Shipping of Michigan Copper across the Atlantic in the Bronze Age (Isle Royale and Keweenaw Peninsula, c. 2400BC-1200 BC)

I'm convinced the little we know about 'those who were here before us' hasn't scratched the surface.