Ancient Africa cover art

Ancient Africa

Discovering Lost Stories from Africa’s Early Civilizations (Secrets of the Forgotten Past)

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Ancient Africa

By: Matt Clayton
Narrated by: Colin Fluxman
Try Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £11.99

Buy Now for £11.99

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

Unlock the Lost Legends and Hidden Kingdoms of Ancient Africa
Think you know African history? While most people picture the pyramids of Giza, few realize that ancient Nubia built over two hundred pyramids — more than anywhere else on Earth. Ancient Africa: Pyramids, Pharaohs, Lost Cities, and Powerful Kingdoms takes you on an unforgettable journey through the overlooked empires, captivating cultures, and brilliant innovations that shaped a continent.

Here’s just a glimpse of what you’ll uncover inside:

  • How ancient hunters from the San people used poison-tipped arrows to take down large game
  • The mysterious “Land of Plenty” known as Punt — and the clues to where it may have been
  • The Nok civilization’s advanced tools and terracotta masterpieces
  • Carthage’s massive harbor that welcomed fleets from across the Mediterranean
  • How farmers of the Garamantes thrived deep in the Sahara
  • The rise of powerful Berber kingdoms in North Africa
  • Why King Ezana of Axum transformed his empire through faith
  • And much, much more!

Why listeners love this audiobook:
Easy to listen, and filled with surprising facts, this audiobook is perfect for curious minds of all ages. It goes far beyond Egypt to reveal Africa’s incredible legacy of innovation, leadership, and cultural power.

Whether you’re a student, history lover, or lifelong learner, this audiobook will change how you see the ancient world.

Scroll up and click “Add to Cart” to uncover the powerful, untold story of ancient Africa.

©2025 Matt Clayton (P)2025 Matt Clayton Africa Ancient Civilization World Middle East Royalty Pharaoh Ancient History

Listeners also enjoyed...

 Ancient African Empires cover art
History of Ireland: A History from Beginning to Present cover art
The Spanish Empire cover art
The Conquistadors cover art
The Conquest of the Americas: A Captivating Guide to the Discovery of the New World, European Colonization, and Indigenous Resistance cover art
The Denisovans: A Captivating Guide to the Extinct Cousins of Neanderthals Who Lived Across Asia during the Paleolithic Period cover art
The Stone Age cover art
Britons cover art
All stars
Most relevant  

Listener received this title free

What stood out most is how the book introduces lesser-known empires and achievements, helping break away from the narrow view of African history that’s so common in schools. It’s both informative and entertaining. It's a lot of fun for anyone who loves learning about the ancient world.

For the ancient world lover

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Ancient Africa talks about African history that rarely gets attention in mainstream narratives. Such as lesser-known civilizations like Nubia, Nok, Axum, and Carthage, giving listeners a more complete and fascinating picture of Africa’s early contributions to world history.

Suppose you love history or are just curious about what happened in Africa. In that case, you will be delighted to learn not only about rulers and cities but also about how people lived, traded, built, and believed, from Saharan farmers to Berber kings. By the end, many will likely feel both enlightened and a little surprised at how much was left out of their standard history education. This audiobook helps fill those gaps and leaves the listener with a deeper respect for Africa’s past and its global impact.

Great for history lovers

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I picked this up wanting to understand more about African history before colonization, and I was not disappointed. The stories about trade networks, early metallurgy, and even astronomy were fascinating. What struck me most was how connected and sophisticated these civilizations were, even though they’ve been largely ignored in mainstream history. It didn’t feel like a textbook, it felt like storytelling with depth and care. I wish this had been part of my education growing up. I walked away with a deeper appreciation and sense of pride I didn’t expect.

Eye-Opening and Long Overdue

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I thought I knew a bit about Africa’s history, but this audiobook totally shifted my perspective. It brings forward stories that were never part of what I learned in school and they’re told in a way that actually holds your attention. I listened while commuting and found myself wanting to take notes. It’s not just facts it’s about people, innovation, and culture that deserve way more spotlight. Honestly, I wish this had been part of my education growing up.

Finally History That Feels Alive

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I picked this up out of curiosity and ended up feeling kind of mad—in a good way. There’s so much I never knew about early African civilizations, and it made me realize how one-sided my history education was. This book filled in some serious gaps and did it in a way that kept me hooked. I caught myself going down rabbit holes online after each chapter because I wanted to know more. If you’ve ever felt like history skipped over a whole continent, this gives you a deeper look without feeling like homework. I’m honestly glad I found it.

Why Didn’t We Learn This in School?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

This book opened my eyes to stories about Africa’s early civilizations that I hadn’t heard before. It’s filled with facts and tales that show how advanced and important these cultures were. I liked how the book made history feel alive and interesting without being too complicated. It gave me a new appreciation for Africa’s past and how it shaped the world we live in today.

One part that really caught my attention was about the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe. It made me think about a recent trip I took where I saw old ruins and felt connected to history. Learning more about how people lived, worked, and built amazing structures long ago made me feel proud and curious. It reminded me that there’s so much more to learn beyond what we usually hear.

The narration is smooth and clear, making it easy to stay focused throughout the book.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

A Journey into Africa’s Rich and Forgotten History

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Africa is an amazing continent that is filled with so much intrigue and mystery with a past that is mesmerizing to even think about. This audiobook has a tremendous amount of mind-blowing information on the early civilizations that shaped Africa into what it is today. I learned so much about things that I never knew existed like the lost tribes that traced the Sahara Desert, all the secrets and folklore that surrounds the land of Punt, and the Nok and the rise of Nigeria. I loved learning about Princess Dido and her journey to northern Africa and how she secured a hill for her people that later became the city of Carthage but find it fascinating that some historians argue whether or not Dido every actually existed. So many great stories to fill you with new knowledge.

Enjoyed Learning About Ancient Africa

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

I’ve read a lot about ancient civilizations, but Africa always seemed underrepresented or overlooked. This book helped change that. I appreciated how it highlighted stories and cultures I hadn’t heard much about before. It didn’t feel like a textbook—it was actually interesting and easy to follow. I learned things I honestly should’ve learned a long time ago. If you’re curious about what’s often left out of history class, this is a great place to start.

Finally Filled In Some Gaps

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Listener received this title free

Ancient Africa is a fascinating dive into the often-overlooked civilizations of early Africa. Part of the Secrets of the Forgotten Past series, this book brings to life the powerful kingdoms, rich cultures, and hidden achievements that shaped the continent’s legacy. A perfect read for curious minds and history lovers, it uncovers stories that challenge traditional narratives and highlight Africa’s vital role in human history.

Ancient Africa: Lost Stories Uncovered

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.