[Growltiger]

El Phil

I cannot remember the reference, but I do recall watching a very good documentary at Uni about an African nation in the circa 1400-1600 somewhere round present day Nigeria.

It talked about their highly developed artwork, culture and mentioned that they had smelting technology which in certain areas was more advanced than Europe. I think it fell apart in civil war etc

Given the links between the Arabs and East Africa, if Europe had not stuck their noses in, and the arabic nations of North Africa had been left to get on with it (no one can argue that the Moorish states were more advanced (certain from a cerebral basis) than the Christian states in 1400-1500) one must wonder what would have happened and what they would be like now.

Time to get a cup of coffee and stare out of the window for two hours whilst I cogitate.