In honor of Black History Month, we’d like to recognize some of the incredibly influential black civilizations of the past and all of their accomplishments.
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA
Mesopotamia was the Biblical land of Sumer, which sprung up around 3000 B.C. After decrypting the cuneiform script of ancient Mesopotamia for many years, Henry Rawlinson (1810-1895) discovered that the founders of the civilization were of Cushite origin. He made it clear that the Semitic speakers of Akkad and the non-Semitic speakers of Sumer were both people of black decent.
ANCIENT MEXICO
Researchers such as Rashidi, Ivan Van Sertima and Alexander Von Wuthenau have discovered and shared evidence showing that the original inhabitants of Mexico were of African descent. Best known for carving the colossal stone heads that date back to 1100 B.C., more evidence of their existence before European explorers has been found. The Olmecs built pyramid-like structures made of mud in Mexico. They were also very artistic and created terracotta art that displayed common activities like pottery-making and wrestling. To add to their achievements, the Olmec people developed a calendar system around 3100 B.C.
THE MINOANS ANCIENT GREECE
Famous archaeologist Manfred Bietak was known for his extensive research of the ancient Greek civilizations. His research concluded that artwork from as early as 7000 B.C. depicted that the early people inhabiting Greece were of African descent.
This Minoan culture of Ancient Greece was especially known for their vibrant cities, lavish palaces and extraordinary trade connections. Minoan artwork is recognized as an era of major achievement in art history. Pottery, sculptures and frescoes from the Minoan Bronze age grace museum displays all over the world. Palace ruins indicate remnants of paved roads and piped water systems.
INDUS KUSH CIVILIZATION
Prior to the invasion of India around 2000 B.C., Blacks in India highly advanced cities and civilizations. In the book “African Presence in Early Asia,”author Wayne Chandler writes of his fascinating discoveries about Blacks in ancient India. The remarkable cities of Harrappa and Mohenjo-daro are only two of the many cities built by Black people. These cities cover large regions of northern India and modern-day Pakistan.
Check out our collection of ancient antiquity, here!
Information from the Atlanta Black Star
Frequently Asked Questions
Henry Rawlinson discovered that the founders of ancient Mesopotamia, specifically the Sumerians and Akkadians, were of Cushite origin and people of black descent. This challenges previous assumptions about the ethnic origins of these early civilizations.
Researchers like Rashidi, Ivan Van Sertima, and Alexander Von Wuthenau have found evidence that the original inhabitants of Mexico, such as the Olmecs, were of African descent. This includes the colossal stone heads dating back to 1100 B.C., pyramid-like mud structures, terracotta art, and an early calendar system developed around 3100 B.C.
The Minoan civilization, believed to be of African descent, was known for its vibrant cities, lavish palaces, and extensive trade networks. Their artistic achievements include pottery, sculptures, and frescoes from the Bronze Age, and their palace ruins reveal advanced infrastructure like paved roads and piped water systems.
Wayne Chandler's research in 'African Presence in Early Asia' highlights that Black people built highly advanced cities and civilizations in India before 2000 B.C. Notable cities include Harrappa and Mohenjo-daro, which are located in northern India and modern-day Pakistan, showcasing sophisticated urban planning and culture.
The Olmec civilization is known for its colossal stone heads, terracotta art depicting daily activities such as pottery-making and wrestling, and pyramid-like mud structures. These artifacts demonstrate their artistic skill and cultural complexity dating back to around 1100 B.C.
Archaeologist Manfred Bietak's research found that artwork dating back to 7000 B.C. in ancient Greece depicts people of African descent. This suggests that the early populations of Greece, including the Minoans, had African origins, influencing their culture and artistic expression.
The Minoan civilization featured advanced infrastructure such as paved roads and piped water systems, as evidenced by palace ruins. These developments highlight their sophisticated urban planning and engineering capabilities during the Bronze Age.