It's #BlackHistoryMonth so I'd like to post some amazing reconstruction art of medieval Africa! First, here are some recreations of Great Zimbabwe, the royal palace of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (11th - 15th centuries AD).

One of the most famous medieval African kings is Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire. Often considered to be one of the richest people in history, he led a famous pilgrimage to Mecca from 1324 to 1325. He financed major construction and education projects in his capital of Timbuktu.

Kilwa Kisiwani was the centre of the Kilwa Sulanate on the Swahili Coast from the 10th through 16th centuries. It was a major hub of the Indian Ocean extended trade network. These reconstructions show the great fort and palace Husuni Kubwa.

Makuria was an ancient Christian kingdom in Nubia. These reconstruction images are of the Faras (or Pachoras) Cathedral, which is famous for its incredible mural paintings. The queen pictured bottom right is Martha Mother of Kings, a powerful patron of the cathedral.

The Mossi Kingdoms had their start in the 11th century and remained powerful until the end of the 19th century. Yennenga was a Mossi princess who fought alongside her father as a warrior. There is a famous story in which she fled her home disguised as a man and riding a horse.

The Kingdom of Benin was founded in the 12th century. The king's mother, titled Iyoba, had her own palace and a strong political influence in the kingdom. Once her son was crowned the divine Oba, she was forbidden from seeing him, so she advised him through constant messengers.

The medieval period was FULL of complex and vibrant African kingdoms. Their cultures and histories are very under-studied. I hope this thread helped spark your imagination with the reminder that historical reconstruction art should be FULL of Black people!