was africa more civilized than Europe during and before 1500 A.D. and why?

Answer 1

Part of it yes, I say this because of Egypt and the Ottoman Empire. But most of the Dark Continent was still very dark

Answer 2

Since civilization requires cities, I'll use that as a basis.

At the time of Egypt, Egypt would win over any European civilization. Even into Roman times Africa was known for its cities and scholars. St. Augustine one of the premier theologians of Christianity wrote in Africa with a distinctly urban voice.
Some would claim that Moorish Africa also produced its share of civilized thought, but I'd say Europe's Moorish Spain outdid them handily. Timbuktu was known for a thriving community of scholars, but I'd still side with the more numerous European cities of this era. African states on the East Coast also thrived during these same years, many equaling most in Europe.

Some would attempt to claim that the European urge to travel and conquer assorted distant people would make them less civilized, but I could never agree with that.

Answer 3

Not really.
Simply because there were much fewer administrative centres which could support science and learning.
Southern Africa was (and still is) very sparsely populated (lots of endemic diseases to blame for that).
Northern Africa had an advantage- easy contacts with various european and asian civilisations- but sadly the muslim invasions meant a stop to uninhibited development of ideas (eg the destruction of the Alexandria library). They still made some developments but these were specifically channeled.
Some areas of Africa escaped this scenario- eg the isolated highlands of Ethiopia meant protection both from disease and from invasion. These however are few.

Answer 4

Africa is a relative term. Egypt for instance and the other Arab states were rather advanced, sub Saharan Africa was in the stone age, and remained there until colonization. (with a few rare exceptions)

Answer 5

'civilized' itself is a loaded term.

the difference between civilized and savage was one of the main reasons given for european colonization of countries from africa to asia to north and south america.

when you say civilized it's always with some kind of ethnocentric yardstick in mind. does it mean who has better cultural and technical achievements? biggest cities? most cities?