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Questions and Answers
What civilization is known for its giant stone heads?
What civilization is known for its giant stone heads?
The Olmecs are believed to have ruled by indigenous people of Mexico.
The Olmecs are believed to have ruled by indigenous people of Mexico.
False
Who wrote the book 'They Came Before Columbus'?
Who wrote the book 'They Came Before Columbus'?
Ivan Van Sertima
The Olmec civilization existed from around __________ to 400 BCE.
The Olmec civilization existed from around __________ to 400 BCE.
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What percentage of skeletons at the Olmec site Tlatilco were estimated to be of African origin?
What percentage of skeletons at the Olmec site Tlatilco were estimated to be of African origin?
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Match the following Olmec contributions with their descriptions:
Match the following Olmec contributions with their descriptions:
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The Olmecs had a written language that influenced the Maya civilization.
The Olmecs had a written language that influenced the Maya civilization.
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In what year did Polish professor Andrzej Wiercinski find skeletons at Olmec sites?
In what year did Polish professor Andrzej Wiercinski find skeletons at Olmec sites?
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Who is the successor mentioned by Mansa Musa that refused to believe the ocean was infinite?
Who is the successor mentioned by Mansa Musa that refused to believe the ocean was infinite?
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Mansa Musa's predecessor successfully returned from his journey across the ocean.
Mansa Musa's predecessor successfully returned from his journey across the ocean.
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What was the primary mode of sailing used by West Africans as mentioned in the context?
What was the primary mode of sailing used by West Africans as mentioned in the context?
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Mansa Musa's predecessor sent a reconnaissance fleet of __________ ships.
Mansa Musa's predecessor sent a reconnaissance fleet of __________ ships.
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Match the following elements to their descriptions:
Match the following elements to their descriptions:
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What did the one returning ship report to Abu Bakr?
What did the one returning ship report to Abu Bakr?
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Skeptics believe there is considerable evidence of the Atlantic crossing in Mali's oral traditions.
Skeptics believe there is considerable evidence of the Atlantic crossing in Mali's oral traditions.
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What were the two types of ships Mansa Musa ordered to be built for the journey?
What were the two types of ships Mansa Musa ordered to be built for the journey?
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What act did Abu Bakr's decision to leave the country represent?
What act did Abu Bakr's decision to leave the country represent?
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Abu Bakr's fleet is known to have successfully completed their voyage.
Abu Bakr's fleet is known to have successfully completed their voyage.
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According to Bartolomé de Las Casas, what did Columbus investigate on his third journey?
According to Bartolomé de Las Casas, what did Columbus investigate on his third journey?
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The alloy that the West Africans referred to as guanin contains parts of gold, silver, and _____.
The alloy that the West Africans referred to as guanin contains parts of gold, silver, and _____.
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What did the metallurgists in Spain find about the spear points Columbus sent?
What did the metallurgists in Spain find about the spear points Columbus sent?
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Peter Martyr believed that Africans were shipwrecked Ethiopian pirates in the 'New World'.
Peter Martyr believed that Africans were shipwrecked Ethiopian pirates in the 'New World'.
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Columbus was primarily located in the _____ Islands during his exploration.
Columbus was primarily located in the _____ Islands during his exploration.
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Match the following individuals with their contributions or beliefs:
Match the following individuals with their contributions or beliefs:
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What did Gabriel Garcia claim about black people in the Indies?
What did Gabriel Garcia claim about black people in the Indies?
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Vasco Nunez de Balboa claimed to have seen two black men living among an indigenous tribe.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa claimed to have seen two black men living among an indigenous tribe.
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What drugs were found in Egyptian mummies, according to research conducted in 1992?
What drugs were found in Egyptian mummies, according to research conducted in 1992?
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Columbus was only told about the black people by the __________ from the Caribbean Islands.
Columbus was only told about the black people by the __________ from the Caribbean Islands.
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Match the individual or group with their corresponding claim or action:
Match the individual or group with their corresponding claim or action:
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What is a possible reason for the presence of nicotine in the mummies?
What is a possible reason for the presence of nicotine in the mummies?
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Critics argue that Columbus and Las Casas directly saw black people in the Americas.
Critics argue that Columbus and Las Casas directly saw black people in the Americas.
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What century did Gabriel Garcia live in?
What century did Gabriel Garcia live in?
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What is the estimated date range of the mummies discussed?
What is the estimated date range of the mummies discussed?
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The only explanation for the presence of nicotine and cocaine compounds in the mummies is ancient trade between continents.
The only explanation for the presence of nicotine and cocaine compounds in the mummies is ancient trade between continents.
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What compounds were found in the stomach of the mummy dated around 950 BCE?
What compounds were found in the stomach of the mummy dated around 950 BCE?
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Russell Burrows discovered what in a cave in Southern Illinois?
Russell Burrows discovered what in a cave in Southern Illinois?
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Match the following artifacts or locations with their significance:
Match the following artifacts or locations with their significance:
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What was one theory about the chemical presence in the mummies?
What was one theory about the chemical presence in the mummies?
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The Mandinka language is native to North America.
The Mandinka language is native to North America.
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What does one of the translated Mandinka inscriptions discuss?
What does one of the translated Mandinka inscriptions discuss?
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Study Notes
The Olmecs
- The Olmec civilization inhabited present-day Mexico from 1200 to 400 BCE.
- The Olmecs are known for their giant stone heads.
- Some scholars believe the Olmec people were influenced by Africans, citing similarities in cultural practices and facial features of the stone heads.
- Ivan Van Sertima wrote a book arguing that Olmec cultural practices closely parallel those in ancient Egypt and Nubia.
- In 1972, Polish professor Andrzej Wiercinski claimed to have found African skeletons at Olmec sites.
- The Olmecs are also known for their pyramids, mathematics, and written language.
- Some theorize that traders from Egypt or Nubia brought knowledge to the Olmecs.
Western African Accounts
- Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire, told a story about his predecessor, Abu Bakr, who sent a fleet of ships to explore the Atlantic Ocean.
- The fleet was said to have disappeared, but a single ship returned with tales of a mysterious river in the middle of the ocean.
- Abu Bakr's decision to leave the country was considered a shameful act, and the event may have been suppressed in oral traditions.
- Critics argue that such a major event would have been mentioned in Mali's oral traditions, but supporters of the theory suggest it was forbidden to speak about it.
Spanish Explorers
- Bartolome de las Casas, who accompanied Christopher Columbus, wrote about reports of black people coming to the Caribbean Islands from the south and southeast.
- The Indians described these black people as carrying spear points made of a metal called "guanin," which they said was 32 parts, with 18 parts gold, 6 parts silver, and 8 parts copper.
- The word "guanin" and the composition of the metal were similar to those used by West Africans.
- Some Spanish historians believed Africans were present in the Americas before them, suggesting the origin of these people was from shipwrecked Ethiopian pirates.
- Critics contest the validity of these accounts, suggesting the black people mentioned may have been darker-skinned indigenous people from the Americas.
Drugs and Mummies
- In 1992, cocaine and nicotine, drugs only native to the Americas, were found in Egyptian mummies.
- Researchers claim that all nine mummies they studied contained cocaine, and eight contained nicotine.
- Some researchers suggest this is evidence of trade between South America and Africa before Columbus.
- Critics argue that the mummies could have been tampered with or faked.
- Others suggest a chemical used by Egyptian priests may have changed over time to resemble cocaine and nicotine.
Archaeological Evidence in the Americas
- Russell Burrows claimed to have found a cave in Southern Illinois containing carvings, coins, statues, weapons, and scrolls with ancient Egyptian and Greek engravings.
- The artifacts were proposed to be from the tomb of King Juba II, a North African ruler who died in 44 CE.
- Inscriptions in the Malian language, Mandinka, have been found in Arizona.
- One inscription translates to "Birds are numerous, white," and another reads "The elephants are sick and angry. At present sick elephants are considerable."
- Some believe these findings are evidence of people from Mali traveling to the Americas.
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Description
Explore the rich history of the Olmec civilization and its potential connections to ancient Africa. This quiz delves into the cultural practices, monumental architecture, and intriguing theories regarding influences from Africa on the Olmecs. Additionally, uncover accounts from the Mali Empire's ruler about explorations across the Atlantic Ocean.
