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The Emergence of the Sao Civilization (c. 550 BCE)
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Around 550 BCE, the Sao civilization began to flourish in the Lake Chad Basin, in what is today parts of northern Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad, and Niger. This ancient African society is one of the earliest known complex cultures in the region, predating later kingdoms like Kanem-Bornu.
The Sao people were likely indigenous to the area, though some theories suggest possible migrations or cultural influences from the Nile Valley or the Sahara. Their civilization emerged as a network of fortified settlements, characterized by large earthen mounds, pottery, and ironworking.
The Sao were likely agrarian, cultivating crops like millet and sorghum, while also engaging in fishing and trade. Their society may have been organized into chiefdoms or small city-states.
The Sao civilization declined around the 16th century CE, possibly due to invasions (such as by the Kanem-Bornu Empire), environmental changes, or internal strife. However, their cultural influence persisted among later Central African peoples.
Note: Archaeological evidence on the Sao is still limited, and much of their history remains debated among scholars. Future discoveries may provide deeper insights into this enigmatic civilization.
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