In the 2001 Oxford Encyclopedia, egyptologist, Stuart Tyson Smith wrote :
“Any characterization of the race of the ancient Egyptians depends on modern cultural definitions, not on scientific study. Thus, by modern American standards, it is reasonable to characterize the Egyptians as ‘black’ while acknowledging the scientific evidence for the physical diversity of Africans." Based on how the Ancient Egyptians portrayed themselves through art, it is clear that they were a black African race. Ancient Greek and Roman travelers and historians, who lived during that time said that the Egyptians were black as well. An ancient Greek historian named Herodotus (400 B.C.), who is known as the “Father of History “, wrote about Ancient Egypt when he traveled there. "I guessed their Egyptian origin not only because the Colchians are dark-skinned and curly-haired (which does not count for much by itself, because these features are common in others too) but more importantly because Colchians, Egyptians, and Ethiopians are the only peoples in the world who practice circumcision and who have always done so.”
In a nutshell, he is saying that Egyptians had dark skin and curly hair. More importantly, he is saying that those three dark races above were the only race to practice circumcision. Circumcision is a Hebrew custom.
Source of Images:
Queen Tye. Grandmother of King Tut. Neues Museum/Agyptisches Museum in Berlin, Germany.
Tomb of Khnumhotep, 12th Dynasty.
Egyptian Soldiers from 1493 B.C. Tomb of Hatshepsut. This painting is showing the journey to the Land of Punt, Deir El- Bahri.
Tomb of Amenhat.
Pharaoh Amenhotep, 18th Dynasty. Around 1300 B.C.
Tomb of Baget, Beni Hasan 2000 B.C.
