UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Conclusion
The theory of the genetic kinship between ancient Egyptian and the
African languages has been discussed. If research confirms this theory, it
will prove the deep-rooted linguistic unity of the continent. The similarity
of royal structures, the relationship of rites and cosmogonies (circumcision,
totemism, vitalism, metempsychosis, etc.), the affinity of material cultures
(tilling equipment is one example), are all matters to be deeply studied in
the future.
The cultural heritage left to us by the societies which lived in Egypt,
Nubia, Ethiopia and the Maghrib is of great importance. The monotheism
imposed by the Christians, and before them by the Jews, in these regions
was strong and expressive and no doubt facilitated the entry of Islam into
Africa. These well-known facts stand on the credit side of the Africans;
on the debit side are unclear areas where a vast amount of work remains
to be done, and many uncertain points to be clarified.
Likewise, completion of the third condition for the writing of Volumes I
and II, i.e. the reconstruction of the ancient African road network since
protohistorical times, and a determination of the extent of cultivated areas
during the same period from the analysis of photographs taken from
satellites for that purpose, would singularly broaden and deepen our knowledge
both of the intra-continental cultural and trade relations of the time
and the degree to which the land was occupied.
More extensive work on ethnonyms and toponyms should make it
possible to determine migratory currents and unsuspected ethnic relationships
from one end of the continent to the other.
I hope this volume will persuade the African countries to show more
interest in, and give more help to, the archaeology of ancient Africa.
737