Groups of Bantu-speaking people migrated southward and eastward from West Africa between 1000 BCE to 500 CE, bringing iron technologies, agriculture, and Bantu languages. Their population growth and cultural mixing permanently altered Africa, with millions eventually speaking Bantu-derived languages. Polynesian sea migrations also resulted in cultural diffusion as they transported food sources and animals, changing environments and diffusing their language to create new ones.

1. Human Migrations
Of the classical Period

2. Bantu Migration
 From West Africa, groups of
Bantu-speaking people
migrated southward and
eastward. (1000s bce to the
500s ce) through sub-Saharan
Africa

3. Bantu Migration

4. Bantu Migration

5. Bantu Migration
 As they moved, the Bantus took
with them iron technologies and
agricultural techniques, as well
as Bantu languages.
 As a result population increased
in Africa and cultural diffusion
and mixing forever altered
Africa.
 Eventually millions of people in
Africa would speak hundreds of
languages based on Bantu

7. Polynesian Migrations
 Maritime migrations of
Polynesian peoples led to
cultural diffusion.

10. Polynesian Migrations
 As Polynesian peoples
moved, they took with
them types of foods and
domesticated animals
that were transplanted
resulting in
environmental changes.
 Polynesian language
was diffused and helped
create new languages.