LVolume II covers the period beginning at the end of the Neolithic era, around the eighth millennium BC. The study of this period, which covers approximately nine thousand years of history, distinguishes four major geographical areas, on the model of African historical research. Most of Volume II is devoted to the civilization of ancient Egypt due to its prominent place in the early days of African history.
- Chapters 1 to 12 deal with the Nile Valley, Egypt and Nubia.
- The 13 to 16 chapters deal with the Ethiopian highlands.
- Chapters 17 to 20 deal with the part of Africa which will later be called the Maghreb and its Saharan hinterland, and chapters 21 to 29, with the rest of the African continent as well as certain islands in the Indian Ocean.