Then, the
introduction of the yam and the banana, as previously noted,
significantly increased the food supply. Finally, the developments
of iron tools and of iron work further increased the food supply and
also provided better weapons. This permitted increased military
power and political expansion. These were the necessary
ingredients that led to the building of three large and powerful
empires: Ghana, Mali and Songhay. Commerce was another factor
which contributed to their development. Governmental control of a
thriving trade in both gold and salt provided the wealth and
power necessary for establishing these large empires.
Unfortunately, our knowledge about West Africa's early history
is severely limited by the lack of written records from that period.
In recent years, archaeologists have been unearthing increasing
amounts of material which contribute to our knowledge of early
Africa. West Africans tended to build their cities from nondurable
materials such as wood, mud, and grass. The area does have a rich
oral tradition, including special groups of trained men dedicated to
its development and maintenance.
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