Top 10 African Contributions To World Civilization

Summary

This video highlights ten groundbreaking African contributions to global civilization, countering the narrative that Africa has not shaped the world. From early advancements in mummification, agriculture, and metallurgy to revolutionary discoveries in astronomy, mathematics, and medicine, the video showcases the richness of Africa’s influence. Notable contributions include the Iron Age, the invention of writing, and even pioneering surgeries like the Caesarean section. By exploring these historical milestones, the video encourages a deeper understanding of Africa's pivotal role in shaping human progress and challenges longstanding misconceptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 African contributions to world civilization are often undervalued, despite their significant impact on various fields.
• 😀 Early African civilizations practiced mummification, with evidence of this process dating back to 5600 BC in southwestern Libya.
• 😀 Africa's agricultural innovations, including advanced irrigation systems in Tanzania and Ethiopia, played a vital role in sustainable farming.
• 😀 The Great Zimbabwe's mortar-free stone architecture revolutionized architectural practices and challenged Western assumptions.
• 😀 The Dogon people of Mali possessed detailed astronomical knowledge, including the binary star system of Sirius, centuries before Western science.
• 😀 African mastery of metallurgy led to groundbreaking contributions in ironworking, particularly in West and Central Africa.
• 😀 Africa's early role in the Iron Age, with iron smelting techniques in Nigeria dating back to 2000 BC, set the stage for human advancement.
• 😀 The Shango bone, an ancient African mathematical tool, provided insights into early African mathematical and astronomical practices.
• 😀 African surgical practices, such as cesarean sections performed by the Bunyoro people of Uganda, predate similar methods in Europe.
• 😀 Nubians in ancient Africa are credited with inventing hieroglyphic writing, which influenced Egyptian culture and other civilizations.

Q & A

What is one of the driving forces of racism, according to the video?

The video explains that one of the driving forces of racism is the persistent narrative that Africans have not contributed to world civilization, which has been used to justify their enslavement and dehumanization.

What is the focus of the video regarding Africa's historical contributions?

The video highlights the top ten greatest contributions of ancient and medieval Africa to world civilization, showcasing Africa's influence in various fields such as culture, science, and technology.

What is the significance of mummification in African history?

Mummification, developed by Africans, particularly in Egypt, is considered one of the earliest signs of civilized thought. It involves preserving the body of the deceased, a practice that has roots in Africa and contributed to the broader development of burial traditions worldwide.

How did African societies contribute to the development of agriculture?

African societies, particularly in East Africa, developed advanced agricultural techniques, such as irrigation systems and crop cultivation. The ancient agricultural site of Anga Ruka is an example of this contribution.

What is unique about the architectural achievement at Great Zimbabwe?

The Great Zimbabwe structures are notable for being built without mortar, which was uncommon at the time. The Shona people of Zimbabwe created these massive stone buildings, demonstrating advanced architectural knowledge and influencing global construction practices.

How did the Dogon people contribute to the field of astronomy?

The Dogon people of Mali made significant contributions to astronomy, particularly through their detailed knowledge of the Sirius star system. They were aware of the binary nature of Sirius, including the existence of Sirius B, a discovery confirmed by Western science only in the 20th century.

What role did metallurgy play in Africa's historical advancements?

Africa's mastery of metallurgy, particularly iron working, was crucial to the development of tools, weapons, and infrastructure. The West African Edo and Kongo peoples were especially known for their expertise in metalworking, influencing global metallurgic practices.

What is significant about Africa's role in the Iron Age?

Africa's transition from the Stone Age directly to the Iron Age is unique. Iron smelting was practiced in regions like Nigeria as early as 2000 BC, which is centuries before it appeared in other parts of the world, making Africa a key originator of the Iron Age.

What is the Shango bone, and how does it contribute to mathematics?

The Shango bone, discovered in Uganda and the Congo, is one of the oldest known mathematical tools. Dating back to around 8500 BC, it contains notches that represent a lunar calendar and various mathematical calculations, challenging previous assumptions about African contributions to mathematics.

How did Africans contribute to the development of medicine, specifically surgery?

Africans, particularly in Uganda, developed advanced surgical procedures, such as the cesarean section, long before it was common in other parts of the world. The video highlights firsthand accounts of this procedure, demonstrating Africa's significant role in advancing medical practices.

What is the importance of African contributions to writing systems?

The video asserts that the Nubians, ancestors of the Nilo-Saharan people, invented hieroglyphic writing, which influenced ancient Egypt and Greece. This writing system is one of the foundational contributions to global literacy and civilization.

How did African exploration impact human history?

The video suggests that Africans were the first humans to explore and populate distant lands, spreading knowledge, agriculture, and culture across the world. This spirit of exploration was essential in shaping global civilization.