[I. Introduction]
Welcome back to Season 2 of The Coin: Black History on Other Side. I'm Brittany Wilkins, your host, author, black history educator, and founder of Historians Connect. Today, on Columbus Day, a day marking Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492, we delve into an intriguing chapter of history in our most popular series: They Came Before Columbus**. In this episode, we explore the presence of African Egyptians in ancient America before Columbus's voyages. While the Middle Passage is a well-known narrative, there exists another historical thread revealing Africans' journeys across the Atlantic long before. How do we know this? Through extensive archaeological research uncovering artifacts with negroid features and characteristics reminiscent of African identities.
[II. Archaeological Expeditions in Mexico]
In 1938, Dr. Matthew Stirling led a team from the Smithsonian Institution and National Geographic Society on an expedition to Tres Zapotes, an archaeological site in the Gulf of Mexico. This expedition was inspired by a rumor that Mexicans had discovered a colossal stone head in 1858. Further exploration revealed not just one, but numerous similar heads buried beneath the earth. The team's meticulous digging operations unearthed astonishing artifacts, reshaping our understanding of ancient civilizations in Mesoamerica.
[III. Uncovering Negroid Heads]
These artifacts, often referred to as Negroid heads, were crafted by ancient engineers from basalt, a challenging rock to carve. These intricate sculptures, standing at six feet high, with a circumference of eighteen feet and weighing over ten tons, showcased remarkable craftsmanship considering the absence of modern technology. It's important to note that the term 'Negroid' may be considered insensitive today but was used in its historical context.
[IV. La Venta Expedition]
Intriguingly, fourteen years before Dr. Stirling's expedition, Danish explorer Frans Blom and American anthropologist Oliver La Farge discovered a massive stone protruding from the ground at La Venta, an Olmec archaeological site in present-day Tabasco, Mexico. Dr. Stirling, comparing these findings with his team's discoveries in Tres Zapotes, found significant similarities, including domed helmets and distinct negroid features, pointing to an undeniable African presence.
[V. African Presence in Ancient America]
The La Venta expedition yielded four remarkable stone figures, each displaying vivid negroid characteristics. Notably, some heads had carved-out teeth, a rarity in American art. One of the heads, measuring eight and a half feet high, featured earplugs with crosses carved into them. The largest, standing at nine feet, was equipped with a speaking tube, serving as an oracle, a talking God. These heads, all facing east towards the Atlantic, wore foreign headdresses resembling those of ancient soldiers, providing compelling evidence of African influence.
[VI. Conclusion]
We owe immense gratitude to archaeologists like Dr. Stirling, as well as present-day scholars, who tirelessly uncover these hidden chapters of history. The revelation of our African roots in America before the slave trade is a testament to the rich tapestry of black history. By embracing our heritage and exploring our roots, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of our past. While we may not need to physically dig into the earth, we must dig into our shared history, amplifying lesser-known narratives and reshaping the traditional understanding of black history.
Join me in uncovering this different side of black history. Share this podcast, and let's march together, illuminating the culture one black history lesson at a time.
[Source]-The Came Before Columbus by Ivan Van Sertima
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