The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality

by Cheikh Anta Diop and Muhammad Abdullah

Book Overview

Now in its 30th printing, this classic presents historical, archaeological, and anthropological evidence to support the theory that ancient Egypt was a black civilization.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1556520727
• ISBN13: 9781556520723
• Release Date: July 1989
• Publisher: Lawrence Hill Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Diop's African Origins of Civilization ideas should be resurected

This book stands out as a strong critique of Western perspectives of Africa, especially as relates to civilization. Many westerners trace origins of their civilization to Greeks and Latins, while completely ignoring African contribution. Diop's work spells clearly the anteriority of African civilization and gives evidence for African influence, especially Egyptian influence on early Greek scholars like Herodotus (one of the ancients). Egyptian thickers of that time are cut of from text and nobody ever mentions them in any history book, especially in the West. The issue of skin color is also prominent in Diop's debate and the fact that the color "Black" may come in different shades, has accordingly been used to deprive Africa of its history, because some Egyptians were not as black as charcoal. Skeletal evidence for Negroid characteristics also confirm the biology of ancient Egyptians. My own opinion is that the origins of the now popular division of Africa into North and South (of the Sahara -Africa proper) must be due not to the Sahara as a barrier, but due to the process of "Whitening" the North, especially Egypt. This book should be debated a fresh in modern academic arena as people become more tolerant to ideas and appreciation about otherness, which is what Africa stands for in anthropological circles. I recommend this book for all lovers of Africa, and those commited to understanding diversity. I can go on and on, but Diop is more relevant today as he was yesterday. Nasser Malit Binghamton, NY

A converted skeptic.

This book has obviously angered (a few) people, so much so that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty as reviewers to invent several screen names and post their ire-filled opinions over and over. The fact is that this book is well written, well researched, and well referenced. The author does not ignore contrary opinions, but in fact takes great steps to address and dispel seemingly legitimate arguments. As a dedicated historian, and skeptic of nearly all Afro-centric writings, I can honestly say that this book is far more than the sublimated racism some readers would have you believe it to be. Those with a willingness to read the book and do their own un-biased follow-up research will find it well worth the effort.

ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO GIVE BAD REVIEWS POST TWICE..WHY?

The people who write bad reviews about this book are all 1: white rascists and 2: have never read this book or have an agenda that is something other than a fair critique. I am a black male who is not swayed easily by arguments just because they come from black people. I personally cannot stand to hear some idiot spouting off about nonsense about blacks being god or black space aliens or whatever. I have read some of the most idiotic books written by my people that make claims that have no basis in reality. This book however is nothing but the truth. Honestly before reading it I thought the claims of black egypt were laughable. Even after reading it I decided I had to do my own research. What I found was this: in southern Egypt today there are still people(not Nubians ) who would be considered black by the modern definition of the term. Archaeologist have found evidence that Nubian pharaohs pre date the first egyptian dynasty by at least 300 yrs for proof go here: http://www-oi.uchicago.edu/OI/PROJ/NUB/NUBX/NUBX_brochure.html(or do a google search for the lost pharoahs of nubia) I have found that The semetic language belongs to an afroasiatic parent language that was spread by black people as they migrated north. I have read in the writings of Aristotle and Herodotus the physical description of the ancient Egyptians as "black skinned and wooly haired". I have seen a recreation of king tut's face done by European phorensic scientists: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna/tutankhamun/. I have seen on the front page of a national newspaper the recreation of nefertiti's face(do a google search). I have found that black people who don't fit the physical type of the"true Negro"(extremely black skin, extremely kinky hair, full lips) were classified as "hamites" a term which before the slave trade was synonymous with black people in fact in the bible noahs son ham which means in Hebrew "black" or "burnt" is said to be the grandfather of the egytptians I have seen pictures of a tribe in Africa called the Nuba(do a google search) whom the majority of the people have the same facial characteristics as the Sphinx. I have learned that the use of color in the hieroglyphs was symbolic red representing the blood of life for the male(some tribes in Africa today still paint their bodies with red ochre), yellow representing fertility and weakness for the female. I have found that in 1974 the author went before the UNESCO conference and debated his premise against european and arab egyptologists and defeated them soundly. I have learned all this and so much more since first reading this book. What I have found to put it simply is that Cheik Anta Diop told the truth and if you want know the truth buy this book.

critical analysis of African history

This book by Diop is very critical and convincing in its arguments. I personally still cannot understand how people can be confused as to the identity of many of the pharaohs: by simply looking at their statues, I see blacks, even without colour. When I first analyzed the identity of the ancient Kemets (Egyptians), I started by looking at their statutes and busts, and I can see mostly black features in them. I am just being honest with myself and everyone! In fact some of them look like my African friends! Diop argues that the Egyptian civilization was initiated by a Black race and sustained by it. This race, was probably from the land of Kush, as he argues. He deals with everything, starting from the identity of the mummies, the "red" complexion, the relationship of Egypt with its neighbours, etc. And als, if they were Black, what happened to them. He does not only present his argument, but also deals with other people's counterarguments, and trust me, there are so many unbelievable self-contradictions in many of these so-called Egyptologists or historians propositions/arguments: they argue that Egypt was anything but black. There are just certain things in life you cannot hide forever, especially if they do not belong to you, and never belonged to you, and if they will never belong to you! Any objective book that corrects the injustices of the past, especially African history, for me, deserves 5 stars.

Classic.......

It is a shame that anyone who whould give this book a low rating would refer to themselves as "a reader from...." Evidence that they haven't even seen the COVER of this book comes shining through. The main topic of this book is to show that Aficans played vital parts in the history of man from the most remote times. The Egyptians were African. Black African. Even European and Middle Eastern Egyptologists could/can not prove otherwise. Refer to the 2nd volume of The General History of Africa. Diop puts forth in the Symposium on the Origin of the Ancient Egyptians the same arguments presented in this book. Any argument opposing his own, Diop dealt with as objectively as possible. Considering he was African and that African history has been distorted the way it has, I can understand the fire and emotion with which Diop writes. It's to be expected. But in the final synopsis, it's not the emotion, but how well documented and researched his arguments are. Read the end notes and the bibliography. Mostly all his references are European Historians and Egyptologists who are hardly known in academic circles because of their beliefs. Diop even leaves an anthropological glossary and biographical sketches on the authors he cites. Hardly a stone is left uncovered. One should actually READ this book before trying to write a review on it. What Diop says is true and is gaining more acceptence everyday, and there's two things that can be done about it: 1. Nothing, 2. Like it!