Cultures of Africa

Africa is the cradleland of humankind.  Fossil remains of the earliest known hominids, close living relatives among forest primates, and exceptional genetic diversity among modern Africans all point to our origin on that continent.  Some of The Field Museum’s archaeological collections from Africa have shaped reconstructions of how the first members of our species made their living.  Contemporary African cultures continue a legacy of social complexity, reflected in the artistic as well as everyday objects in the Museum’s collections. These artifacts continue to provide insights into technology and culture because many are so well documented with contextual information including the collectors’ field notes and photographs of the articles in use.