When did the Europeans discover black people?

Europeans first encountered people of African descent during the early phases of exploration and trade in the 15th century, notably with the Portuguese exploring the West African coast. However, the significant European awareness of African peoples grew during the transatlantic slave trade, which began in the late 16th century and expanded in the 17th century. This period marked a profound and often exploitative interaction between Europeans and Africans, shaping perceptions and relationships that would last for centuries.