African and American Civilizations have the following common identifying traits: share culture and an environment, a stable food supply, a system of government, advanced technology, and sometimes written/recorded language and /or record keeping, cities, art, large population centers, architecture, and social structures.
Many African civilizations used the rivers (especially the Nile) for agricultural irrigation, crop cultivation, trade, and religious purposes. Prominent African-continent based civilizations include Axum, Kush, and Ghana. Distinguishing features of African civilizations include things such as pyramids, herbal medicines, basket weaving, masks, pottery, and jewelry making.
American civilizations can often include Latin American civilizations and the civilizations of the American indigenous peoples. Distinguishing features of American civilizations include things such as mounds/pyramids, jewelry making, religious amulets and sculptures, weapons, chocolate, and murals.
