ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Copper metallurgy in Africa

Copper metallurgy in Africa means using copper to make different useful objects. Copper is a kind of metal that is found in the earth and it can be mined (dug up) and then heated and shaped into different things. Metallurgy means science or process of working with metals to make useful objects.

A long time ago, people in Africa discovered copper and started using it to make different things. Copper was very important because it could be used to make things like pots, weapons and jewelry. They used a process called smelting to extract the copper from the rocks that it was found in. This involved melting the rocks in a special furnace and extracting the copper from the molten rock.

The people who were really good at working with copper were the ancient Nok people who lived in what is now Nigeria about 2500 years ago. They created beautiful objects like statues and masks out of copper that showed off their skills. Copper was also used by other African cultures like the Egyptians, the Kushites, and the Phoenicians.

Over time, people in Africa continued to use copper metallurgy and developed new techniques for working with it. They also started trading copper with other parts of the world. Today, copper is still an important metal that is used in many different industries and it continues to be mined and used in Africa and around the world.