In “A Training School for Elephants,” Sophy Roberts revisits an especially bizarre episode from the exploitation of Africa.

But he also hoped to find gold. For centuries gold objects from sub-Saharan Africa had made their way to Europe. Some Portuguese even believed that the objects came from a "River of Gold." ...

VIENNA, AUSTRIA—According to a Live Science report, European hunter-gatherers traversed the Mediterranean Sea in primitive boats and visited North Africa much earlier than previously thought.

His passing raises questions about the future of African language studies in Europe. The academic community is mourning the loss of emeritus professor Norbert Cyffer, who is renowned for his ...