Olmecs and Western African Accounts
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Olmecs and Western African Accounts

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Questions and Answers

What civilization is known for its giant stone heads?

  • Aztec
  • Inca
  • Maya
  • Olmec (correct)

    • The Olmecs are believed to have ruled by indigenous people of Mexico.

    False

    Who wrote the book 'They Came Before Columbus'?

    Ivan Van Sertima

    The Olmec civilization existed from around __________ to 400 BCE.

    <p>1200</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of skeletons at the Olmec site Tlatilco were estimated to be of African origin?

    <p>13.5%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following Olmec contributions with their descriptions:

    <p>Pyramids = Large structures used for ceremonial purposes Mathematics = System used for trade and astronomy Written language = Method for recording information Cultural practices = Ritual similarities with African traditions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Olmecs had a written language that influenced the Maya civilization.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year did Polish professor Andrzej Wiercinski find skeletons at Olmec sites?

    <p>1972</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the successor mentioned by Mansa Musa that refused to believe the ocean was infinite?

    <p>Abu Bakr</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mansa Musa's predecessor successfully returned from his journey across the ocean.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary mode of sailing used by West Africans as mentioned in the context?

    <p>Dug-out canoes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mansa Musa's predecessor sent a reconnaissance fleet of __________ ships.

    <p>four hundred</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following elements to their descriptions:

    <p>Dug-out canoe = Primary boat used by West Africans Mansa Musa = Master of Mali Reconnaissance fleet = Four hundred ships sent to explore Abu Bakr = Mansa Musa's predecessor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the one returning ship report to Abu Bakr?

    <p>A mysterious river in the middle of the ocean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Skeptics believe there is considerable evidence of the Atlantic crossing in Mali's oral traditions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were the two types of ships Mansa Musa ordered to be built for the journey?

    <p>One thousand for men and one thousand for supplies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What act did Abu Bakr's decision to leave the country represent?

    <p>A shameful act</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Abu Bakr's fleet is known to have successfully completed their voyage.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Bartolomé de Las Casas, what did Columbus investigate on his third journey?

    <p>Reports of black people bringing spear points made of guanin.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The alloy that the West Africans referred to as guanin contains parts of gold, silver, and _____.

    <p>copper</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did the metallurgists in Spain find about the spear points Columbus sent?

    <p>They were identical to spears used in Africa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Peter Martyr believed that Africans were shipwrecked Ethiopian pirates in the 'New World'.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Columbus was primarily located in the _____ Islands during his exploration.

    <p>Caribbean</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following individuals with their contributions or beliefs:

    <p>Abu Bakr = Decision to leave was deemed shameful Bartolomé de Las Casas = Wrote about Columbus' findings Peter Martyr = Theorized about Africans in the New World Columbus = Investigated reports of black people and guanin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Gabriel Garcia claim about black people in the Indies?

    <p>They were the first he had seen there.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Vasco Nunez de Balboa claimed to have seen two black men living among an indigenous tribe.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drugs were found in Egyptian mummies, according to research conducted in 1992?

    <p>Cocaine and nicotine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Columbus was only told about the black people by the __________ from the Caribbean Islands.

    <p>indigenous people</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the individual or group with their corresponding claim or action:

    <p>Gabriel Garcia = Claimed to see the first black people in the Indies Vasco Nunez de Balboa = Claimed to have seen two black men among indigenous tribes Columbus = Heard accounts of black people but did not see them Researchers in 1992 = Found nicotine and cocaine in Egyptian mummies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a possible reason for the presence of nicotine in the mummies?

    <p>It served as a bug repellent during mummification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Critics argue that Columbus and Las Casas directly saw black people in the Americas.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What century did Gabriel Garcia live in?

    <p>Sixteenth century</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated date range of the mummies discussed?

    <p>1070 BCE to 395 CE</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The only explanation for the presence of nicotine and cocaine compounds in the mummies is ancient trade between continents.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What compounds were found in the stomach of the mummy dated around 950 BCE?

    <p>nicotine and cocaine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Russell Burrows discovered what in a cave in Southern Illinois?

    <p>carvings, coins, statues, weapons, scrolls</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following artifacts or locations with their significance:

    <p>Mummies = Contain nicotine and cocaine Southern Illinois cave = Possible site of King Juba II's tomb Mandinka inscriptions = Indicate presence of Malians in America Elephants in the text = Animal native to Africa</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one theory about the chemical presence in the mummies?

    <p>It could have been a chemical used by Egyptian priests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Mandinka language is native to North America.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does one of the translated Mandinka inscriptions discuss?

    <p>Sick elephants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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