Page 45 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 35
P. 45
History
Modern data clearly states otherwise: fish-based culture.
• Africans were the first to engage in
• The human race is of African descent. The mining 43,000 years ago. In 1964,
oldest known skeletal remains of anatomically a hematite mine was discovered
modern humans (Homo sapiens) have been in Swaziland on the Bomvu ridge
unearthed in East Africa. Human remains in the Ngwenya mountain range.
discovered in Omo, Ethiopia, date back Eventually, 300,000 items were
195,000 years, making them the oldest known recovered, including thousands of
in the world. The entire human race shares stone mining tools. Archaeologist
99.9% of its DNA, with its origins pointing to Adrian Boshier dated the mine to an
the Eve Gene found in Africa. astonishing 43,200 years old.
• Pre-human skeletons were discovered in Africa • Africans pioneered basic arithmetic
between four and five million years ago. The 25,000 years ago. The Ishango
oldest known ancestral type of mankind is bone, a tool handle with engraved
thought to be Australopithecus ramidus, which notches, was found in the Ishango
lived at least 4.4 million years ago. region of Zaire (now Congo) near
• Africans were the first to organize fishing Lake Edward. Initially thought
expeditions 90,000 years ago. In Katanda, a to be over 8,000 years old, it
region in northeastern Zaire (now Congo), demonstrated early mathematical
finely crafted harpoon tips were recovered, understanding.
all polished and barbed. A well-designed tool,
believed to be a dagger, was also discovered, The list of Africa’s rich and beautiful
suggesting the existence of an early aquatic or history is endless. The responsibility
to unearth and teach our people about
Africa’s history lies with all of us.
20
RCH
45
5
2
A
S
I
ISSUE 35 | MARCH 2025 45
M
5 |
SUE 3
