In 2018 I had the opportunity to visit Egypt through a Cultural and Language Immersion study abroad program sponsored by the American Middle East Institute. This life-changing trip took place while I was an African Studies Ph.D. student at Howard University. My experience was pivotal to informing my remaining graduate studies journey concerning the undeniable African presence within ancient Egypt. As I visited Cairo, Memphis, Giza, and Alexandria this notion was confirmed many times over. The most valuable take away from the study abroad program would be having the ability to witness firsthand the dominating presence of people of Black African descent within Egypt’s ancient civilizations. Witnessing this for myself changed my understanding of Africa’s agency and role in shaping civilization. It was beyond phenomenal to engage all of my senses in experiencing the remains left by African people that pointed to great societal contributions in the form of the pyramids, catacombs, statues, astronomy, math, science, medicine, writing systems and so much more.

Being a person of African descent from America, the trip to Egypt made a positive, self-affirming impact on the way in which I understood my scope of capabilities in connection to my African heritage. Gazing upon the observable copper and deep dark brown hues that appeared on the faces of most of the images collected in the museums and the locks of braided hair that were so detailed upon the statues, hieroglyphs, mummies, and papyri filled me with so much joy. I continually thought, no logical person could deny the evidence confirming the overwhelming presence of Black African people in the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Before this trip, I had strong beliefs that Egyptians were of African decent, but because of the popular media depictions that hide or diminish the African heritage of the Egyptians, I had no definitive proof. My time spent in Cairo, was the perfect opportunity to take an account with my own eyes and camera to prove such an African heritage did exist, so that is exactly what I did. Thousands of photos were taken to preserve the memory of my time spent in Egypt and to tell the story of a people that I recognized immediately in so many ways because they looked like me and my family.

This blog is the account my transformative journey to Cairo, Egypt, where I explored the wonders of the Old Kingdom (c. 2650–2100 B.C.). This era, has often been overshadowed and misrepresented in mainstream narratives, but was a time of immense progress and innovation in African history. Egypt, though frequently mislabeled as part of the Middle East, is fundamentally an African civilization—one that produced some of the most astonishing architectural and intellectual achievements in human history.

The Legacy of the Old Kingdom CA. 2650 to 2100 B.C.

The Old Kingdom was the foundation upon which later Egyptian dynasties built their legacies. It was a period of unification, scientific advancement, and artistic excellence. The Old Kingdom was the starting point of Egyptian civilization that produced unrivaled innovative and tremendous progress that set the stage for the Middle and New Kingdom that followed. The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt established long-term stability, while agricultural advancements supported a growing population. Unification of the Upper and Lower Nile region also bought about long-term stable governance resulting in the continuity of culture, education, philosophy, and religious rituals that were passed down throughout the ruling dynasties. Such stable governing measures in return made it possible to sustain larger populations and build lasting legacies known from antiquity and marveled present day. The mastery of mathematics, science, and astronomy enabled the construction of monumental structures like the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Great Pyramids of Giza. The development of hieroglyphic writing allowed for the preservation of historical and philosophical thought for future kingdoms to follow. The information conveyed within the hieroglyphic system of writing continues to be a point of interest for historians, archeologist, scholars and ordinary people as the messages they detail are by in large intriguing and will be open for interpretation for generations to come.

King Djoser and the Step Pyramid of Saqqara

At the Egyptian Museum in Cairo on the ground floor, there rests a statue of King Djoser who reigned (c. 2592 – 2566 B.C.), sitting on a throne on exhibit. This statue commands the attention of those passing through the museum as he sits gabbed in the clothes of the royal festival of renewal. The statue of Djoser, displays the king wearing the nemes—a royal headdress symbolic of his power. His hair is depicted in locks, a hairstyling technique of African origin. King Djoser’s beautiful symmetrically chiseled locks flow neatly from underneath his regal headdress to just pass his shoulders, the details of such a full and well groomed set of locks are a symbol of his good health, pride, and style. Maintaining such a head of hair required time, discipline, and meticulous care through knowledge of oils and organic mixes to cleanse the scalp and promote growth. Each detail of King Djoser’s royal statue showcases an element of his stature within society and grand accomplishments. His eyes, are inlaid with precious stones, and exude a commanding presence, reinforcing his enduring legacy. The statue is the oldest royal life-sized statue in all of Egypt. It was uncovered during an excavation in a location on the eastside of the Step Pyramid inside a temple that set towards the north of King Djoser’s pyramid. King Djoser was the first king of the 3rd Dynasty and the builder of the Step Pyramid, his statue serves as a monument to his cement the embodiment of his achievements in stone.

During my stay in Egypt, I had the pleasure of visiting Saqqara, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser. The Step Pyramid was built overtime, starting at King Djoser’s rule during the 3rd Dynasty and being finished circa 2700 B.C., this pyramid is the earliest colossal stone building in history. The magnificent structure was built in stages. The first stage started with a 63 meter wide square mastaba that was 8.5 meters high. The sides of the structure were extended by 3 meters and then an additional nine meters to construct 11 shafts on the eastside that belonged to the Djoser family. 4 additional mastabas were added to the pyramid at a later date to complete the height of 60 meters which totaled 6 mastaba structure. The Burial Chamber of the Step Pyramid sits within the bottom of a shaft in the center of the pyramid at 28 meters deep. Designed by the brilliant architect Imhotep, the Step Pyramid set the precedent for future pyramid construction.

The Great Pyramids of Giza: Testaments to African Ingenuity

No visit to Egypt is complete without standing before the Great Pyramids of Giza. These awe-inspiring structures, built by Black African engineers and laborers, remain one of the greatest testaments to human ingenuity. The second pyramid at Giza was constructed by King Chephren (Khafre), whose statue I observed during my visit. The craftsmanship of his statue, along with the intricate inscriptions found throughout the site, speaks volumes about the advanced skills possessed by Old Kingdom artisans.

The Majestic Sphinx

The Sphinx, an iconic guardian of the pyramids, left an indelible mark on me. Seeing it up close, I marveled at its grandeur and the centuries of history etched into its weathered face. The Sphinx stands as a powerful symbol of ancient African civilization and its enduring influence on global history.

Illuminating the Pyramids: A Night to Remember

One of the most magical moments of my trip was witnessing the Light Show at the Pyramids. As the structures were illuminated against the night sky, historical narratives unfolded before my eyes, bringing the Old Kingdom to life in a breathtaking display of sound and visuals.

Conclusion

My visit to Cairo deepened my appreciation for the rich and complex history of the Old Kingdom. The narrative of Ancient Egypt is incomplete without acknowledging its African roots and the remarkable contributions of Black African descendants. Walking through the corridors of the Step Pyramid necropolis, standing before the towering pyramids, and gazing at the enigmatic Sphinx, I felt a profound connection to the ingenuity and resilience of the ancient Egyptians. This journey reaffirmed the importance of preserving and sharing the true history of Africa’s greatest civilization.

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