Library Research Guides: AFR 239: African Civilization to 1700s: Context & Overviews

Why Use Reference Materials?

Specialized encyclopedias, handbooks, companions, and other reference works can be good starting places for finding

You can search one of the individual reference works below, or search across multiple sources in the cross-disciplinary reference collections.

New Encyclopedia of Africa [e-book]
Addresses the entire history of African cultures from the pharaohs and the ancient civilizations of the south through the colonial era to the emergence of 53 independent countries. (2008)
Encyclopedia of African History [e-book]
Nearly 1,100 entries ranging from the earliest evolution of human beings in Africa to the beginning of the 21st century. (2005)
Encyclopedia of African Religion [e-book]
A comprehensive collection of essays, discourses, ideas, and concepts in African religion. (2009)
Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World

In print in Clapp Library

Encyclopedia of African History & Culture
5 volumes arranged chronologically, from prehistory in vol. 1 to independent Africa in vol. 5. In print in Clapp Library Reference - 2nd Floor DT3 .P27 2005
Encyclopedia of African and African-American Religions
Articles on many religions and religious practices, with good bibliographies for further reading. In print in Clapp Library Reference - 2nd floor: BL2462.5 .E53 2001

Oxford Bibliographies Online
Annotated bibliographies for a variety of subject areas.
Oxford African American Studies Center
More than 8,000 articles by top scholars in the field, drawn from Oxford University Press reference works, with primary source documents and maps. Includes Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience.
Credo Reference
Hundreds of full-text academic encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other sources for introductions to topics, definitions, or factual information. Includes subject-specific titles from art, literature, education, science, religion, history and more.
Sage Knowledge
Search across more than 100 full text encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference works in the social and behavioral sciences.

Encyclopedia Articles & More
This is a subset of SuperSearch that searches several reference databases at once.