Ancient Egyptians

[O. J. Harp III]

Were the ancient Egyptians a black or white race?

[Iman Jordan]

I think technically, the ancient egyptians were black. I mean, they were born in Africa were they not? I think the only reason they were considered the "white black people" was because they were of lighter complexion than the more middle and southern Africans. What with their location and all being so close to the north and towards europe. But we also see this dilemma in people all over. Italians are considered "white" a lot of russians have asian features due to their close proximity to the asianic countries, etc. But I could be wrong anyways. I would, however, love to know the official take on this question, so I'd be thrilled if you let me know when you found out?

[Jamel]

They weren't light though. Good you realize they are black, but you don't have to think. You can know they were BLACK. Read African Origins of Civilization by Dr. Cheik Anta Diop. He proved scientifically that Ancient Egypt was BLACK, like dark, dark negroes, not light.

[Iman Jordan]

Ok. I've asked someone about this question and she said that it had something to do with the Muslim religion and the invasion of the arabs in Egypt that inspires the discrepancy. So i guess the ancients were unquestionably black, as they hadn't been invaded yet? But then, if you find a different or more detailed response, I'd still be thrilled to know.

[O. J. Harp III]

The inscription, found in the Temple of Horus at Edfu, is informative as to the origin of the Egyptian (Kemetic) civilization. The inscription indicated that civilization was brought form the south (of Africa) by a band on invaders under the leadership of King Horus. The eminent Egyptologist, Dr. Yosef ben-Jochannan referred to Egypt's southern origins many times. Dr. Asa Hilliard, III, psychologist and historian, also cited references to the southern origins of the early Egyptians.

[Brent Mason]

History is taught through T.V., books, and other media that associates pretty much anything as a "white" claim. A few more years, some of the children here that are black will probably think they are white. Moses was white, Jesus was white, everyone was white. History has been so misrepresented, to think that black people had any power other than what we have today would be blasphemy. *Kicking over the soap box*

Egypt by all accounts was a mostly black lineage but was overthrown because it represented power. I tend to think that was a moment in black history that we had our hand in being slave masters to our own. In short, I don't think the Egyptians looked anywhere close to Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner.

This is not a swipe at other cultures.

[Sharon Moore Stenhouse]

Your answer lies in your point of reference, and what you believe. Biblical scholars trace black (dark skinned) people back to Genesis, even prior to Noah and the great flood. Recent scientific data concludes through genetic tracing of the Y chromosome in DNA, that all of the human race stems from a single origin of primitive people located in central Africa. Other scholars believe in the mix of people including Arab, black and white or light skinned. One thing we do know is the Egyptians of today are quite removed from those of Ancient Egypt. Whether the answer is religious or scientific, one can only surmise that the human race began from a single origin.

If you believe that Africa is the mother of civilization, then you have your answer.

Here's a question for you. Is there really such a thing as race, other than the human race, or is race a man made supposition?

[Darryl Hill]

To get to the real answer to this question I'm posting a link to a page on my site about Ancient African Americans that will answer it once and for all.
Ancient African Americans