One of the most persistent and unfounded myths about Africa is the claim that it had no civilizations before European contact. This narrative is not only historically inaccurate, but it is also morally bankrupt, as it seeks to erase the achievements of millions of people and justify colonial exploitation. The timeline provided offers clear archaeological […]
The Natufians (15,000–11,500 years BP.) were hunter-gatherers, but they practiced semi-sedentism and proto-agriculture. They foraged wild cereals and hunted gazelles but did not cultivate crops or domesticate animals. Unlike earlier groups, they built permanent stone dwellings and stored surplus grain, showing early steps toward farming. Their sickle blades suggest intensive harvesting of wild plants. While
Who were the Natufians? Read More »
9 African writing systems which predate Latin; and 15 writing systems which predate Modern English.
African Writing (3200 BC – 1500 AD) Read More »
During the history of mankind, there was a point when humans began planting and growing their foods, there was a shift from hunting animals and gathering food sources to farming and animal domestication. This period is referred to as the Neolithic revolution. With the Neolithic revolution came inevitable changes in the social life of humans.
Food series: Africa’s domestication of 2000+ foods Read More »
TOOLS OF AFRICAN HISTORY: 10 METHODS In the investigation and study of the history and life of earlier Africans and indeed humans generally, certain tools or techniques are employed without which most findings would be useless since nothing can be deduced from them. With the help of these techniques or tools, information can be obtained
Tools of African History: 10 Methods Read More »
When you look up world history as it is currently taught, the narrative is often misleading when it comes to development of agriculture. While certain crops were domesticated in the Near East and Asia between 10,000 BCE and 3,000 BCE – such as wheat and barley in the Near East, and Oryza sativa (Asian rice)
Myths about Africa: the “Europeans and Arabs brought Africa agriculture” myth Read More »
Modern scientists believe the universe has been around for 13.8 billion years, the sun for 4.57 billion years, the earth for 4.56 billion years and the moon for 4.53 billion years. Anatomically modern humans however only occupy the last 340,000 years of that story of cosmogony and originated out of Africa. Homo erectus (bipedal Humans)
Tools of African History: Geological periods Read More »
Bread is one of the most common and widely consumed food across all parts of the globe. It comes in various forms, shapes, sizes and even composition. From ancient times up till present-day, it has continued to be a staple food source for many people. The reason bread is very popular apart from its nutritional
Africa’s inventions: bread (11,600 BC) Read More »
Humans evolved from the continent of Africa which makes Africa the longest inhabited continent on the planet. It is therefore not surprising that people from this continent originated and invented many things present-day humans built on, progressed and advanced. The history of African inventions dates to as far back as before modern humans even existed.
Africa’s inventions: abstract art (82,000 years ago) Read More »
Many non-Africans sometimes wonder, “Did Africa invent anything?” The unambiguous answer is yes: a lot of things. One of these inventions was a calendar system by Borana people of Ethiopia at a date as old as when Greece invented the Athenian calendar (an ancient calendar also known as the Attic Calendar). Unlike the Athenian calendar,
The Borana Calendar and How it works (Existing from 300 BC until Today) Read More »
AFRICAN ARTWORKS AND EARLY EUROPEAN CONTACT African arts today have come to be admired by art aficionados from all over the world, but it has not always been this way. There was a time when artworks from Africa was not considered worthy enough to be even displayed in European art museums. The Europeans at the
Africa’s influence on modern art Read More »
African art predates written history. From tens of thousands of years before recorded history people in Africa have been creating various works of art utilizing different materials. This is not particularly surprising given that the modern homo sapiens originated from Africa. The oldest art in the world was a shell necklace found in the Cave
Africa’s art materials Read More »
Ever since the abolishment of slavery and the granting of independence to African nations, the continent has been stricken with what seems like never-ending conflicts. There are pockets of violence here and there between groups in Africa, and this has seriously stunted its growth, damaged perceptions of rule of law, unification, and development as there
Myths about Africa: Do conflicts and insecurity have nothing to do with rich countries? Read More »
We all know Charles Darwin, his contribution to humanity will never be forgotten; his theory of human evolution is taught in schools the world over. But very often in the tale of his accomplishments, an important character is easily left out without whom perhaps Charles Darwin might not have become whom he was. His name
700 miles south from the Mediterranean coast, there, stretches a sub-beaten arid African desert, with temperatures that can rise up to 55 ºC in the summer, an average annual rainfall that is less than half an inch, and sometimes even it doesn’t see rain for years. One would never imagine that a lost 3,000-year-old-African civilization
The Garamantes: The Civilisation that mined Fossil Water from the Sahara for 1,000 Years Read More »
What is a day? Many would think the answer is obvious. Many would say 24 hours. But the scientific truth is you have ask a particular question first, “On what planet?” You see: on Venus a day is 5,832 hours; a day on Mercury lasts 1,408 hours; on Mars a day is 25 hours; and
African exports: the origin of the 365-day calendar Read More »
Africa and India have had a long history and relationship together in areas like trade, religion, music, arts, and architecture, dating far back as the 1st century, but their historical link is rarely discussed.
African Rulers in Indian History: Sachin, Gurjarat Read More »
There have been many misconceptions when it comes to the status of Africans who lived at much earlier times like the 13th to 18th century and even earlier in the 1st to 6th centuries, particularly Africans that happen to live overseas in what is today Europe and the USA. There is a wrong assumption that
Ivory Bangle Lady: The face of an African in York’s High Society (4th Century) Read More »
All over the world, there are certain foods that not only serve for consumption and commercial purposes but also are part of the culture of a people. Yam is one of such crops in West Africa.
Food Series: Domestication of Yam in 5000 BC, West Africa Read More »
Map of medieval Scotland The history that was taught at school says that Scots were originally Irish and Celtic people who migrated to Scotland and that Europe in general was the ancestral home of white people. Many people including Scots themselves have a long-held belief that the ethnic make-up of Scotland is strictly Scots, Irish,
African Genes in Scottish DNA Study Read More »
Emperor Yekuno Amlak, throne name Tasfa Iyasus, r. 10 August 1270 – 19 June 1285. Artwork of Emperor Yekuno Amlak is an illustration of the king of Ethiopians kings who was a prince from the region of Bet Amhara province. Source: Mereja Forum Ethiopian News and Opinion. Emperor Yagbe’u Seyon, throne name Salomon, r. 18 June 1285
(Architecture Series) Solomonic Dynasty: Through Art and Architecture Read More »
THE START OF CHRISTIANITY IN AFRICA Abu Yemata Guh is an ancient church located in Ethiopia, the only African country that was never colonised by the Europeans. The roots of the Ethiopian states date to as far back as the 10th century BC[1] with the rise of the D’mt Kingdom before the more popular Aksumite
(Architecture Series) Abu Yemata: The Church in the Sky Read More »
More than 2000 years ago, a time when not even a calculator existed, let alone other technical devices that facilitate the research process, Eratosthenes calculated the spherical size of the Earth. He calculated it with considerable accuracy, obviously without the use of modern equipment but only by comparing the position of the Sun’s rays in
Eratosthenes: African and First Man To Measure The Circumference of Earth Read More »
If you take a walk around Scotland observing its numerous monuments that include remains of forts, towers and roads, you will find that most –if not all- the surviving monuments are military in nature. This is because at some time, Scotland’s location was on the northwest frontier of the enormous Roman Empire. One of the
Africans on the Antonine Wall (2nd century AD) Read More »
Juan Valiente, was born in Northwest Africa, became a slave, was sold to Hernan Cortes’ cousin, was talented, became a Captain and Encomienda holder.
Juan Valiente: From Slave to Spanish Conquistador, Captain and Encomienda-holder Read More »
There is a painting from the 16th century that depicts Juan Garrido holding a pike and standing next to the Spanish conquistador, Hernan Cortes. Many have mistaken Garrido in this painting as a slave along with other paintings from the same era. This is because in Portugal at this time, a time were almost all
Juan Garrido: African Spaniard & Conquistador of the New World Read More »
A.B.C. Merriman Labor (1877-1919), Lincoln’s Inn Barrister, Edwardian, an African living in 19th century London, wrote “Briton Through Negro Spectacles”.
ABC Merriman Labor: BARRISTER, AN AFRICAN IN IMPERIAL LONDON(1877-1919) Read More »
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, born to an African mother and a French father in 1745, founded Chicago, known for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable: the founder of the Cosmopolitan City of Chicago Read More »
Phillis Wheatley[1] is one of the most iconic examples of growth over achievement and empowerment. Despite going through devastating situations and falling prey to the cruelties of her historical era, she had the opportunity to get an informal education, and go down as one of the West’s earliest female writers. To gain a sense
From the numerous stories told about the sixteenth-century monarchs that were delivered to us through novels, films, dramas and even sometimes through formal education, we have come to know every detail about their personal lives, from what they wore to what they ate. The Tudors (1485-1603) has gathered a cult that has seen no match
Imagine seeing vividly lush forests and fields of green being brought down for the sake of erecting buildings that would take the money from the community’s pockets and put it into the investors and businessmen’s bulking wallets. That would make you feel outrageous wouldn’t it? That’s not the real question though, the question is; will
Wangari Maathai: A Professor, An Environmentalist and An Inspiration Read More »
Annual Elected Heads of state: Carthage (814 BC–146 BC) The Ancient Republic of Carthage which survived from 814 till about 146 BC was founded by sailors and settlers from Phoenicia (a Civilisation that existed from 2500 BC to 539BC). Phoenicians may not have viewed themselves as a nation, but the label is the term we
Elections in 9th Century BCE Africa: Carthage, Prior to Athenian Democracy Read More »
