Uncovering the African Past: The Ivan Van Sertima Papers

Uncovering the African Past: The Ivan Van Sertima Papers is the third volume in Runoko Rashidi's celebrated trilogy on the global African presence. Following Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe and African Star over Asia: The African Presence in the East, this book pays tribute to the pioneering scholarship of Ivan Van Sertima-author of They Came Before Columbus and founder of the Journal of African Civilizations.

Blending intellectual biography with original research, Rashidi synthesizes decades of scholarship on the Nile Valley civilizations (Kemet), African contributions to Asia, and evidence of transoceanic contact with the Americas. The work highlights the contributions of major Black scholars including Chancellor Williams, William Leo Hansberry, John G. Jackson, and Cheikh Anta Diop.

Featuring essays originally published in the Journal of African Civilizations, updated commentary, rare photographs, and detailed dynastic chronologies, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of ancient African civilizations and their global impact.

Scholarly yet accessible, this book is essential reading for students, researchers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Africa's central role in world history.