by P Reddy

Created on: December 17, 2009

There is much controversy when it comes of the ancient lifestyles and mysteries of the ancient Egyptian people and the question of the ethnic background of ancient Egyptians is just that - surrounded by mystery and controversy.

Currently there is a scholarly consensus that the issue of pure race is incoherent and applying models of modern race concepts to the ancient Egyptians is an error in chronology.  However the race of the ancient Egyptians is a topic that is still being debated and is not one likely to be going away anytime soon.  The figures that are being discussed in relation to race are Tutankhamen, Cleopatra and the model of the great Sphinx of Giza.

Skin Color

Most scholars believe the ancient Egyptians were not white or black but instead a Mediterranean people whose skin color adapted to the environment.

Controversies

In the early 19th century it was disputed ancient Egyptians were Ethiopians as the men appeared to have red skin tones while the women yellow but they have nothing to suggest they were African.  It was claimed the Sphinx appeared to have Nubian features quite different form those of Africans.  A few years later three scholars claimed ancient Egyptians were intermediaries between Africans and Asiatic peoples.

The Dynastic Race Theory

in the 1950's the Dynastic race theory was widely accepted by mainstream scholars.  The theory was derived from cultural evidence such as rock paintings that ancient Egypt was invaded by a Mesopotamian force, imposed themselves upon the African people and became their rulers.  They were then defined as Asian or Semitic and this was a cause of controversy as it was claimed European scholars accepted the Dynastic Race theory in order to avoid admitting the ancient Egyptian people were black and thus denying Egypt it's African roots.

Afrocentrism

Has it's roots in the repression of the people, particularly in the United States.  Part of overcoming oppression was to take a look at black history and counter-acting what was perceived as euro-centric history and determining the race of ancient Egyptians has been a point of interest for this purpose.

Today

Most scholars would conclude the ancient Egyptians were neither black nor white as per today's terminology and the issue of the race of ancient Egyptians is a topic most scholars or writers that have an interest in ancient Egypt avoid.  However those who are interested are using Tutankahmen, Cleopatra and the Sphinx as well as cultural evidence found in tombs and historic sites.

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