Cratons In Africa

1. Describe the geology and plate movements that are taking place in Africa now. What super-continent did Africa form the center of in the past? What parts of Africa are now separate but once where linked? What cratons are located in Africa and what do they contain?

The southern most part of Africa is moving N. W. causing a tilt in the continent. The Red sea rift is an example of this motion. Madagascar, S. America, Australia, India, Arabia, Antarctica, and the Balkans used to be a part of Africa and formed a continent known as Godwanda. This continent then formed with Laurasia thus creating Pangea, the supercontinent that Africa was the center of. The cratons of Africa are: W. African, E. Saharan, Tanzania, Congo, and the Kaapvaal. Cratons

Sahara Desert being the largest example that can easily be seen on a such a scale. The continent has become dryer over time, therefore the area of the Sahara increases each year. Scarcity of resources and food have made it so most tribes have left the area in search of more hospitable places. However, the San Bushman (Kung) have actually been pushed into these types of regions. Africa has gone from a mostly lush and thick rainforest environment to a desert.

3. Human ancestors appear to have originated in Africa millions of years ago. Describe, in general terms, this progression over the past for human ancestors in Africa. Which group located in the south of Africa are the present day descendants of the original Homo Sapiens?

Around 50,000 years ago man started to leave Africa, this began first as a migration North from the South of Africa. Technology and language developments from simple tools and clicks facilitated this move and exploration of the continent and beyond. While tools are self explanatory, language was key in developing complex thought processes. The present day South Africans that are descendants of the original Homo Sapiens are referred to as the Kung or San