Renowned Black art collector and author of The Kinsey Collection, Bernard Kinsey, calls it “The Myth of Omission.” Author of Powernomics and lecturer on Black wealth, Dr. Claud Anderson, calls it “White Washing.” Others simply call it White lies! Whatever you call it, there is no denying that African history has been largely erased from history books worldwide. For example, it is widely believed and taught that Christopher Columbus (pictured) discovered the Americas. Au contraire. Here are 10 facts that prove otherwise.
1. Columbus Himself – Columbus said himself Africans were in America. In the book, “Africa and the Discovery of America,” Harvard historian Leo Weiner explains that Columbus noted in his journal that the Native Americans confirmed “black skinned people had come from the south-east in boats, trading in gold-tipped spears…
2. American Narcotics Discovered in Egyptian Mummies – The discovery of American narcotics in Egyptian mummies has left some historians amazed. Recently, archaeologists discovered the presence of narcotics only known to be derived from American plants in ancient Egyptian mummies…
3. Ancient Pyramids – Ancient pyramids don’t only exist in Egypt. The more sophisticated pyramids that now stand at Giza were possible because of the work done by African in Egypt. Professor Everett Borders noted the presence of completed pyramids in La Venta in Mexico but the unusual absence of any earlier forms of the pyramids…
4. Egyptian Artifacts in North America – For years, Eurocentric archaeologists have largely turned the other cheek when it came to the discovery of artifacts from ancient Egypt being discovered in the Americas. According to Dr. David Imhotep, the author behind the book “The First Americans Were Africans: Documented Evidence,” “Egyptian artifacts found across North America from the Algonquin writings on the East Coast to the artifacts and Egyptian place names in the Grand Canyon” are all signs of an early arrival in the Americas by Africans. This is also paired with a much earlier account of Black people with incredible skills at sea. Back in 445 B.C., the Greek historian Herodotus wrote of King Ramses III leading a team of Africans at sea with astounding seafaring and navigational skills.
4. Ancient African Skeletons Discovered in the New World – There have been many instances of archaeologists discovering skulls and skeletons that they believed clearly belonged to people of African descent. Polish professor Andrzej Wiercinski revealed the discovery of African skulls at Olmec sites in Tlatilco, Cerro de las Mesas and Monte Alban. Even more ancient African skeletons that would clearly predate Columbus’ arrival… being unearthed in what is now California….
5. A Clear Link in Religion – Africans left their influence on Native American religion as well. The similarities are undeniable. Deities with dark skin and coarse hair were prominent throughout their religion. Many surviving portraits reveal these deities who were clearly crafted in the likeness of Africans. Historians also point to wall paintings in caves in South America that depict the ancient Egyptian “opening of the mouth” and cross libation rituals.
6. The Accounts of Other European Explorers – Christopher Columbus wasn’t the only European explorer who made note of an African presence in the Americas upon his arrival. At least a dozen other explorers, including Vasco Nunez de Balboa, also made record of seeing “Negroes” when they reached the New World. Mexican natives documented their presence as well. Nicholas Leon, an eminent Mexican authority, recorded accounts from natives describing the oldest inhabitants as “Blacks and giants.” He also noted that nearly all the races in Mexico had words to describe African people.
7. Africans Were Master Shipbuilders – …Contrary to popular belief, Africans were master shipbuilders who sailed all over the word before other cultures understood shipbuilding. In fact. it was part of there tradition. Shipbuilding and sailing are over 20,000 years old in the Sahara and cave wall paintings of ancient ships…in National Geographic magazine…
9. Gigantic Stone Heads in Central Mexico – Ivan Van Sertima asserts that the Olmec civilization was the first significant civilization in Mesoamerica. Popularly know by historians as “Mother Culture of Mexico, this civilization is best known for the colossal carved heads in Central Mexico…
10. A Long History of Trade by Sea – Ancient kingdoms in West Africa have a long history of trade by sail. At the time, traders were known to always expand their territories…
There is also Mansa Abubakari II of the Mali Empire who went on a large expedition across the Atlantic Ocean, convinced that it had a beginning. Mali was the center of education in the world at the time (13th century) and very prosperous. During his reign, he sent out an expedition and one ship came back.. some say this ship reported that they found land… some say they reported that they were the only ship to survive a storm or something. Either way, Abubakari gave up his throne to Mansa Musa (who we’re all familiar with right? the richest man in the world in history) and took a fleet of 2000 ships across the ocean in the pursuit of education. They never came back.
