Fact Check: Were Ancient Egyptians Black? Kevin Hart Debate Rages

“So Egypt cancels @KevinHart4real comedy show because he stated the 1st Egyptian Kings and Queens were Black… where was the lie? Egypt is literally in Africa where civilization started… #KevinHart #Egypt.”

The discourse is still spilling across social media, but the debate does beg us to explore the question. Were ancient Egyptians really Black? Let’s take a brief look into history to find out the answer.

The ancient Egyptians were a diverse group of people who lived in the Nile River valley in what is now modern-day Egypt. While the ancient Egyptians did not identify themselves by race, they depicted themselves in art and literature with a range of skin tones, including dark brown and black.Over the years, science has been able to make radical discoveries about the Eqypitans by examining the DNA sequences of mummies. According to Euro Scientist, several researchers suggest that many ancient Egyptians were closely related to parts of the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East which spans across areas of modern-day Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon.

Archeologists have also linked Egyptian DNA to predominantly Black civilizations located in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is evidence to suggest that ancient Egyptians had genetic and cultural connections with neighboring regions of Africa, including Nubia and Sudan. It comes as no surprise given that Egypt was once called Kemet, the “land of the black people.” However, it is important to note that the concept of race as we understand it today did not exist in ancient Egypt.

Historians point to illustrations to gain a better look at ancient Egyptians

Still, scientific evidence and illustrations offer a better look at the genetic makeup of Egyptians who once roamed about the mighty country decades ago.  Egyptian art often shows people donning various skin colors from rich mahogany to light brown.

According to The Collector, several archeologists have found evidence to suggest that powerful rulers like Maiherpri and the legendary Queen Nefertiti were Black.

Maiherpri (also spelled as May her Pre) was an ancient Egyptian official who lived during the 18th dynasty, around 1350 BCE. His name means “The Lion of His City,” and he was the Overseer of the Royal Harem, as well as a member of the elite of the time.

Maiherpri, who is particularly well-known for his stunningly preserved tomb that was discovered in the Valley of the Kings in 1899, had a darker skin complexion. Many researchers believe that he may have been Nubian or of Nubian descent.

Nefertiti, who was the queen of ancient Egypt during the 14th century BCE, was also identified as Black due to her rich dark skin tone. “According to contemporary Egyptologist Sigrid Hodel-Hoenes, her skin color was worshipped because it echoed the “color of both the fertile earth and the netherworld and death,” The Collector noted.

So all in all, it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of Egyptian civilization, but one thing is true. Eqypitans descended from different parts of Africa and neighboring countries, creating a cultural melting pot and a complex history.

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