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African Ancient Origins: Stories Of People & Civilization
416 pages, Hardcover
Published October 14, 2025
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November 12, 2025
Where’s the bibliography? Throughout the book he references some classic works and I just knew there would be a full bibliography at the end, but noooo.
There is a small bibliography right after the introduction, called Further Reading, but in my oh so humble opinion, that section doesn’t go far enough in exposing the myriad of works mentioned throughout.
Now that I have that out of the way; the book is comprehensive in that it takes a look at Africa from every direction culling stories from different regions and discussing their beginnings, backgrounds and kingdoms.
One of our greatest historians, the late great Dr. John Henrik Clarke used to say, ‘half of human history was over before anyone heard the word Europe’. And Robin Walker clearly illustrates the pivotal role that Africa has played in the development of Art, Science, Medicine, and Philosophy. Again, I hear echoes of Dr. Clarke, ‘Europeans not only colonized the world, they also colonized information about the world.’
Truer words have never been spoken, and of all places, Africa has suffered the most behind this information colonization. There are still people (plenty) who believe Africa contributed little or nothing to civilization and humanity. Robin Walker shines the light of truth using a diverse range of topics covering an equally diverse geography.
So, it’s not just Egypt and Nubia and pyramids, but Zimbabwe, ancient kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and early histories of southern, central and east Africa. The grandeur and opulence that existed in ancient Africa are staggering in their magnitude. Even some medical accomplishments are mind-blowing.
“Robert Felkin was a member of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain….. With some background in medicine, he made two voyages to Central and East Africa to compile a study on childbirth there…… On 9 January 1884 Felkin gave a lecture on his findings….in a paper called ‘Notes on Labour in Central Africa.’ He wrote: ‘ So far as I know, Uganda is the only country in Central Africa where abdominal section is practised with the hope of saving both mother and child….It was performed in 1879 at Kahura.’”
“In Europe in 1879 C-sections had a 100% death rate for the mother. Surgeons performed the operation only to save the child.” p. 365
He goes on to describe this successful caesarean section using banana wine as an anesthetic. A paste was made to cover the wound along with some banana leafs and cloths on top. Mother and child were doing well eleven days after the operation. Again, this was 1879!!
There is so much the world can glean from a deep and unclouded exploration of Africa’s past. Even from an archaeological perspective, the surface has just been scratched when it comes to Africa. Dr. Charles Finch is quoted, “Fewer than 10% of the known archaeological sites on the continent have ever been surveyed, let alone excavated. Archaeologically, Africa is still largely terra incognita….”
Robin Walker has given a great assist in unearthing some of Africa’s greatest glories. Let this beautifully crafted collector’s edition not only adorn your bookshelf, but it’s small enough to carry about daily as I’m sure you’ll want to continue reference this book long after finishing.
There is a small bibliography right after the introduction, called Further Reading, but in my oh so humble opinion, that section doesn’t go far enough in exposing the myriad of works mentioned throughout.
Now that I have that out of the way; the book is comprehensive in that it takes a look at Africa from every direction culling stories from different regions and discussing their beginnings, backgrounds and kingdoms.
One of our greatest historians, the late great Dr. John Henrik Clarke used to say, ‘half of human history was over before anyone heard the word Europe’. And Robin Walker clearly illustrates the pivotal role that Africa has played in the development of Art, Science, Medicine, and Philosophy. Again, I hear echoes of Dr. Clarke, ‘Europeans not only colonized the world, they also colonized information about the world.’
Truer words have never been spoken, and of all places, Africa has suffered the most behind this information colonization. There are still people (plenty) who believe Africa contributed little or nothing to civilization and humanity. Robin Walker shines the light of truth using a diverse range of topics covering an equally diverse geography.
So, it’s not just Egypt and Nubia and pyramids, but Zimbabwe, ancient kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, Songhai, and early histories of southern, central and east Africa. The grandeur and opulence that existed in ancient Africa are staggering in their magnitude. Even some medical accomplishments are mind-blowing.
“Robert Felkin was a member of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain….. With some background in medicine, he made two voyages to Central and East Africa to compile a study on childbirth there…… On 9 January 1884 Felkin gave a lecture on his findings….in a paper called ‘Notes on Labour in Central Africa.’ He wrote: ‘ So far as I know, Uganda is the only country in Central Africa where abdominal section is practised with the hope of saving both mother and child….It was performed in 1879 at Kahura.’”
“In Europe in 1879 C-sections had a 100% death rate for the mother. Surgeons performed the operation only to save the child.” p. 365
He goes on to describe this successful caesarean section using banana wine as an anesthetic. A paste was made to cover the wound along with some banana leafs and cloths on top. Mother and child were doing well eleven days after the operation. Again, this was 1879!!
There is so much the world can glean from a deep and unclouded exploration of Africa’s past. Even from an archaeological perspective, the surface has just been scratched when it comes to Africa. Dr. Charles Finch is quoted, “Fewer than 10% of the known archaeological sites on the continent have ever been surveyed, let alone excavated. Archaeologically, Africa is still largely terra incognita….”
Robin Walker has given a great assist in unearthing some of Africa’s greatest glories. Let this beautifully crafted collector’s edition not only adorn your bookshelf, but it’s small enough to carry about daily as I’m sure you’ll want to continue reference this book long after finishing.
Displaying 1 of 1 review