What was the first contact between Europeans and Africans?

The first contact between Europeans and Africans is often marked by the arrival of Portuguese explorers along the West African coast in the 15th century. In 1441, Portuguese sailors captured several Africans in present-day Mauritania, initiating trade relations that included the exchange of goods and the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade. This contact laid the groundwork for subsequent European exploration, colonization, and exploitation of African resources and people. The interactions were complex, involving trade, cultural exchange, and conflict.