Final answer:
The migrating Bantus adopted ironworking technology from the Nok in the savannah ecological system and disseminated it across sub-Saharan Africa. Their mastery of iron smelting, developed independently in Central Africa, facilitated their agricultural expansion and led to the rise of powerful Bantu kingdoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The migrating Bantus likely adopted ironworking technology from the Nok in the savannah ecological system. This adoption occurred as the Bantu were migrating through Africa, allowing them to clear land and expand their agriculture into new areas. The spread of ironworking throughout sub-Saharan Africa can be largely attributed to the migration of these Bantu peoples.
Ironworking technology was likely disseminated throughout sub-Saharan Africa by migrating Bantus who spread it far beyond the initial area of adoption. Iron tools were indispensable in their expansion efforts, enabling them to clear forests and create irrigation systems to support their farming practices.
Independent development of sophisticated ironworking technology in Africa occurred in Central Africa, debunking earlier theories that it was introduced through Egypt. By at least 500 BCE, Bantu-speaking peoples were using iron tools to aid in their expansion across the continent. The mastery of ironworking technology facilitated the creation of large Bantu kingdoms in the savannah and plateau regions, representing a significant transformation in the ancient African political landscape.