Ancient Black Civilizations: Babylon to Timbuktu

Overview

• Ancient black civilizations played a crucial role in shaping world history.
• European civilization developed from ancient black civilizations.
• Mesopotamia, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was a significant center of early civilization.
• The region included areas known as Sumer, Akkad, Chaldea, and Babylonia.

The Garden of Eden and Early Black Civilizations

• The Garden of Eden is associated with the land of Ethiopia.
• The region's people were described as jet black.
• Genesis references the Tigris (Hiddekel) and Euphrates rivers, linking them with black civilizations.
• Black populations were prominent in southern Mesopotamia and were known by various names, including Babylonians.

Biblical Connections and Ethiopian Tribes

• References to Cush (Ethiopia) throughout the Bible, with Cush being the father of the Ethiopian people.
• Nimrod, an Ethiopian conqueror, ruled Babylon and other cities in Sumer.
• The concept of races and their classification in ancient times differ from modern classifications.

The Spread of Black Civilization

• Black civilizations spread from Africa and Asia to Europe.
• The original Dravidian tribes of India had connections with Ethiopian Sumerians.
• Sumer, as a pre-Semitic population, indicates the early presence of black people.

White Race Origins

• Noah's sons (Shem, Ham, Japheth) are central to human population distribution.
• Japheth's descendants moved into Europe and Asia, potentially undergoing physical changes (mutations) that influenced their skin color.
• The classification as 'Caucasian' and racial superiority theories emerged much later in history.

Influence of Black Civilizations

• Early black civilizations contributed extensively to mathematics, governance, and cultural practices.
• The Babylonian civilization, under rulers like Hammurabi, developed laws that influenced future societies.
• The Phoenicians, a black Canaanite group, significantly impacted navigation, trade, and cultural exchanges.

African Influence in Europe

• Early European cultures, such as those in Crete, were influenced by African and Asian civilizations.
• European culture's foundations can be traced back to African civilizations through trade and colonization.

The Hebrew and Arabian Connections

• Abraham and his descendants, including Ishmael, were black and significantly influenced Arabian lineage.
• Egyptians, Canaanites, and early Israelites shared African roots.
• Intermarriage between black Jews and black Canaanites strengthened these connections.

The Impact of Colored Peoples

• Colored peoples have been a majority throughout history, controlling vast geographical areas.
• Racial intermingling occurred frequently, leading to diversity in physical appearances.

Conclusion

• Ancient black civilizations were integral in shaping cultural, religious, and racial landscapes across continents.
• Their influence persists in modern culture, language, and social structures.
• The understanding of history and race should acknowledge the foundational role of black civilizations throughout time.