African Empires: the history we aren't being taught - Prof. Kevin MacDonald, UCL African Studies

Summary

In this enlightening discussion, Professor Kevin Macdonald of UCL dispels misconceptions about Africa's history, highlighting its rich urban and cultural heritage dating back 2000 years. He emphasizes the sophistication of early African civilizations, including urban centers, art, and technology, and criticizes the colonial-era stereotypes that have overshadowed this history. Macdonald advocates for a reintegration of African history into development narratives, stressing the importance of heritage for national dignity, unity, and tourism. He calls for a re-education on Africa's past to foster a more accurate global understanding and respect for its contributions.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Africa has a rich and complex history that is often overlooked or misunderstood in Western education.
• 🏙️ West Africa had urban centers with populations of 10-20,000 people as early as the first millennium AD.
• 🏺 The Nok culture in Nigeria had a sophisticated terracotta art tradition and early iron metallurgy dating back to around 800 BC.
• 📚 Literacy in West Africa came with the spread of Islam, not earlier.
• 🏰 There were sophisticated social formations and states in what is now the Mauritania desert around 1200 BC.
• 🛠️ Before the colonial era, Africa had advanced governance structures, towns, art, ceramics, and metalworking technology.
• 📉 The 19th-century European colonization of Africa occurred at a time when African empires had already been weakened by the Atlantic slave trade and external interventions.
• 📈 Africa is currently the fastest-growing region in the world and has reasons for optimism beyond common media portrayals.
• 🔍 Modern archaeological methods, including remote sensing and satellite imagery, have helped in the discovery and mapping of African settlements.
• 👥 There is a need for more archaeologists to document Africa's vast heritage and history.
• 🔄 African archaeology has shifted from focusing on prehistoric periods to also studying more recent, historical periods, filling gaps left by other disciplines.
• 🌱 Recognizing and integrating the rich cultural heritage of Africa is vital for national dignity, unity, and tourism development.

Q & A

What is the common misconception about Africa's development history?

The common misconception is that Africa's development has only occurred in the last century, ignoring the fact that there were already sophisticated urban centers and social formations thousands of years ago.

How old were the first urban centers in West Africa?

The first urban centers in West Africa began to form around 2000 years ago, with towns of 10-20 thousand people existing in the early first millennium AD.

What was the state in the region now known as the Mauritania desert around 1200 BC?

Around 1200 BC, there was a sophisticated social formation in the region now known as the Mauritania desert, which had hundreds of settlements and towns of considerable size.

When did literacy come to West Africa?

Literacy in West Africa came with the advent of Islam, which introduced writing systems to the region.

What is the Nok culture known for?

The Nok culture, found in central Nigeria around the Jos plateau, is known for its sophisticated figurative art tradition in terracotta, dating back to around 800 BC.

How does the sophistication of early African civilizations compare to those in Britain at the same time?

The early African civilizations were as sophisticated as those in Britain at the same time, with advanced art, metallurgy, and social structures.

What is the current movement in Africa regarding its historical rediscovery?

There is a movement in Africa to rediscover and acknowledge its rich history and heritage, which is not sufficiently recognized or taught in many educational systems.

Why is there a need to re-educate about Africa's history and heritage in development?

Re-educating about Africa's history and heritage is important for national dignity, unity, and for developing tourism, as well as for correcting misconceptions and promoting a more accurate understanding of Africa's past.

What impact did the European land grab for Africa in the 19th century have on the continent's history?

The European land grab in the 19th century occurred at a time when African empires had been weakened by factors such as the Atlantic slave trade, leading to the breakdown of older governance structures and the beginning of colonial history.

How has the field of African archaeology evolved over the past few decades?

African archaeology has evolved from focusing primarily on prehistoric periods to working more on historic periods, with archaeologists becoming their own historians and anthropologists, and engaging more with recent history and community concerns.

What role does archaeology play in understanding and promoting Africa's heritage?

Archaeology plays a crucial role in uncovering and understanding Africa's rich heritage, which can then be used to promote national pride, unity, and tourism, as well as to correct historical misconceptions.