Archaeological discoveries

How do archaeologists know that Bantu were farmers?

There is substantial archaeological evidence that suggests the Bantu were farmers. Some of this evidence includes:

- The presence of agricultural tools such as hoes, axes, and grinding stones at Bantu settlements.

- The discovery of domesticated plant remains, including sorghum, millet, and cowpeas, at Bantu archaeological sites.

- Evidence of irrigation systems and terracing, which indicates that the Bantu were able to successfully cultivate crops in diverse environments.

- The presence of large storage facilities, such as granaries, suggests that the Bantu were able to produce surplus food, which is a characteristic of agricultural societies.

- The Bantu also kept domestic animals, such as cattle, goats, and sheep, which provided them with a reliable source of food and other resources, such as milk, hides, and wool.