The underappreciated archeological history of Africa | Sirio Canós-Donnay | TEDxGoodenoughCollege

Summary

This talk challenges the misconception of Africa as a continent without a rich history, showcasing the continent's vibrant past filled with states, empires, and civilizations. The speaker, an archaeologist, presents various West African archaeological sites, such as the Royal Pyramids of Meroe in Sudan, the churches of Lalibela in Ethiopia, and the Great Zimbabwe. They emphasize the importance of understanding Africa's history, which includes trade, innovation, and complex systems, and calls for a broader recognition of Africa's contributions to world history.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Africa has a rich and complex history that includes states, empires, civilizations, trade, and innovation.
• 🏛️ Sudan's Royal Pyramids of Meroe, with over 300 pyramids, surpass the number in Egypt and were built by the Kushite civilization.
• 🕍 The Kingdom of Axum in Ethiopia had monumental structures like the 27-meter high obelisk and the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
• 🌊 Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania was a central port in the Indian Ocean trade network, connecting Africa with Arabia, India, and China.
• 🏰 Great Zimbabwe was a site of such monumentality that early European explorers mistook it for the capital of the Queen of Sheba.
• 🛣️ The town of Oualata in present-day Mauritania was created to service caravan trade across the Sahara.
• 🏰 The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali is believed to be the largest mud-brick building in the world, showcasing the adaptability of local building materials.
• 🏺 The Empire of Mali was one of the largest precolonial states in Africa, known for its wealth in gold and powerful rulers like Mansa Musa.
• 📜 Despite the lack of standing structures, the existence and impact of African empires are well-documented through oral histories and external accounts.
• 🔍 The challenges in reconstructing Africa's past include the lack of written records, use of poor preservation materials like mud brick, and limited archaeological research.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about African history mentioned in the script?

The common misconception is that there is no African history between human origins and colonialism, often presenting Africa as a place that lived in the Stone Age until Europeans arrived.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to understand the history of African civilizations?

Understanding the history of African civilizations is important because it is not only fascinating on its own but also fundamental to understanding the history of the rest of the world.

What is one example of an African civilization mentioned in the script that is often included in history books?

Ancient Egypt is an example of an African civilization that is often included in history books.

How does the number of pyramids in Sudan compare to those in Egypt?

There are over 300 pyramids in Sudan, which is far more than the number in Egypt.

What significant structure in Axum is mentioned, and what is its significance?

The script mentions a 27-meter high obelisk in Axum, which is the largest structure of its sort in the whole world.

Why were the 11 churches at Lalibela in Ethiopia built?

The 11 churches at Lalibela were carved out of rock in the 12th and 13th centuries as a way of creating a New Jerusalem due to Muslim expansions hindering traditional pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

What was the role of Kilwa Kisiwani in the Indian Ocean trade?

Kilwa Kisiwani was a central port in the Indian Ocean trade from the 9th century onwards, connecting the African interior with the coast, Arabia, India, China, and beyond.

Why did early European explorers mistakenly believe they had found the capital of the Queen of Sheba at Great Zimbabwe?

Early European explorers were impressed by the size and monumentality of Great Zimbabwe, leading them to mistakenly believe they had found the capital of the Queen of Sheba.

What is the significance of the town of Wan in Caran Morania?

The town of Wan was created in the 11th century to service caravan trades crossing the Sahara and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Why does the speaker argue that the absence of standing structures does not mean that great empires and civilizations did not exist in Africa?

The speaker argues that the absence of standing structures does not mean that great empires and civilizations did not exist because not all areas had stone, not all chose to build with it, and due to the poor preservation of mud brick architecture.

What challenges does the speaker mention in reconstructing Africa's past?

The challenges mentioned in reconstructing Africa's past include the lack of writing in many areas, the use of mud brick as a construction material leading to poor preservation, and less archaeological research compared to other parts of the world.

Why is it important to dispel the notion of Africa as a continent without a past?

It is important to dispel the notion of Africa as a continent without a past because it is factually wrong and perpetuating this idea has deeply damaging consequences for Africa's future.