UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Conclusion
G. MOKHTAR
In this volume an attempt has been made to show, as far as possible, the
main trends in the early history of Africa: the major changes that
occurred, the fundamental contacts between its various regions, and the
state of African societies and groups during the period under review.
The volume outlines a general framework for research, and the main lines
along which studies should be directed. However, it already seems possible
to reach some conclusions and to adopt some hypotheses although it should
be clearly and strongly emphasized that a great deal remains to be done and
long, in-depth studies are needed.
The chapters on ancient Egypt demonstrate that before the third millennium
before our era, Egypt had achieved a high intellectual, social and
material standard, compared with most other parts of the world. The
ancient Egyptian civilization, besides being old, original and rich in
initiative, lasted for almost three thousand years. It resulted not only from
favourable environment factors, but also from the efforts to control those
factors and put them to beneficial use. There is no doubt that the natural
elements played an important and remarkable role in the development of the
ancient Egyptian civilization. But, on the other hand, this role was supplemented
and became effective only through the Egyptians' struggle to tame
their environment, to overcome the difficulties and problems it posed, and
so to render it beneficial for their own prosperity.
The ancient Egyptians, through the invention of writing in their predynastic
period, made a considerable advance towards civilization. Writing
extended the range of man's communications, developed his mentality and
widened his knowledge. The invention of writing was more important and
effective than any battle the ancient Egyptians fought or any other
achievement they accomplished. The firstwriting appeared about —3200,
and in its last stage - the Coptic language - is still used today in Coptic
churches in Egypt. So, we can consider this rich life of almost fifty
centuries of the ancient Egyptian language as the longest of any of the
world's languages. Finally, we can say that the invention of writing was
the main stage passed by the Egyptians on their long road towards
civilization and prosperity.
Our knowledge of ancient Egypt is due mostly to the discovery of