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A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
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Jurassic Africa: Monsters of the Tethys Sea

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Jurassic Africa: Monsters of the Tethys Sea

From 201 to 145 million years ago, the Jurassic period was an age of giant reptiles and shifting continents. Along the western coast of what is now Africa — then part of the vast Gondwana supercontinent — the warm Tethys Sea hosted some of the most fearsome apex marine predators in Earth’s history.

Illustration of Jurassic marine apex predator from Africa's Tethys Sea
Jurassic seas along Africa’s coast teemed with giant marine reptiles.

Gondwana and the Ancient Tethys Sea

During the Jurassic, Gondwana included Africa, South America, Antarctica, Australia, India, and Arabia. The Tethys Sea separated Gondwana from the northern landmass of Laurasia and created a warm, nutrient-rich marine environment perfect for giant predators.

This sea shifted constantly as tectonic plates opened and closed ocean basins. Its changing shape created new habitats and drove evolution in marine reptiles and invertebrates such as ammonites and bivalves.

The Apex Marine Predators

Ichthyosaurs — Fast, Streamlined Hunters

Ichthyosaurs were dolphin-like reptiles with streamlined bodies and razor-sharp teeth. Fossils along Africa’s ancient coasts suggest they thrived here. The giant Shonisaurus sikanniensis could reach 21 m (69 ft) — three times longer than an orca.

Plesiosaurs — Long-Necked Ambushers

Plesiosaurs had long necks and paddle-like flippers for agile swimming. The massive Elasmosaurus platyurus stretched up to 14 m (46 ft), towering over a modern great white shark.

Pliosaurs — Big-Headed Power Predators

Pliosaurs had huge skulls and strong jaws, built for crushing prey. Pliosaurus funkei could grow to 12 m (39 ft) — far bigger than today’s sea lions or most modern sharks.

Together, these reptiles were the apex predators of the Jurassic seas, shaping the evolution of marine ecosystems around what is now Africa.

Explore More Ancient Africa and Oceans

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.