Discuss the importance of iron and foreign trade in the growth of African civilizations.

Iron has a great importance in the development of civilizations in Africa. The historians estimate that the people of Africa acquired knowledge about iron probably in 1000 B.C. They got this knowledge from the Egyptians.
Whatever significant contribution the iron has made in the development of the African civilization is depicted like this :

1. The people of Africa, made use of iron tools for clearing the forests and reaping the harvest. Consequently, agriculture developed here at a quick pace.

2. The iron tools helped a lot in manufacturing ivory goods and digging out gold reserves. Their use resulted in the development of other industries.

3. Several states of Africa extended their territories with the help of iron weapons.

4. A considerable progress tool place in the trade of the African civilizations because of iron. Iron ore of Africa began to be exported to the countries of Asia, Arab and Europe.