“Over the past decade, we have been able to uncover the hidden histories of people who have been written out of their own history,” said cultural historian, Egyptian archeologist, author and educational consultant, Anthony Browder, on the latest find in Egypt.
“We have raised the profile of African Americans in Egypt and are now seen as archeologists, financiers and tourists.
“It’s a major game changer.”
In May 2018, Browder, his daughter Atlantis and the ASA Restoration Project excavation team discovered 2700-year-old, Kushite artifacts that are now installed in the Egyptian Museum in Luxor. He makes history as the first African American to lead and fund an archeological excavation project in Egypt.
“Through our archeological discoveries, we have been able to tell a story of 25th dynasty kings and nobles that has never been told,” said Browder. “And we are able to connect Kushite history with Kemetic history, and the history of civilizations in West Africa.
“We will be producing books and documentaries of our findings for the next 50 years.”
Browder added, “I am fortunate to have met and cultivated working relationships with Ivan Van Sertima, John Henrik Clarke, Yosef ben-Jochannan, Asa Hilliard, John G. Jackson, Frances Welsing, Na’im Akbar, Leonard Jefferies and other African-centered scholars who befriended me and nurtured my development over several decades.
“They prepared me to recognize opportunities before they appeared and position myself to take full advantage of them. I am honored to have the opportunity to do what they were unable to do in their careers, and am dedicated to create opportunities for those who will follow in my footsteps.”
Based in Washington D.C., Browder was born in Chicago and attended Howard University in 1971. He graduated from Howard in 1974, with a [bachelor of fine arts] and an emphasis on graphic design and advertising. Browder has made many of these amazing treks with his daughter Atlantis, having been to Egypt 56 times, with his daughter along for 13 of those trips.
“She grew up meeting all of the scholars I referenced earlier and I am preparing her to continue my legacy,” said Browder. “As new discoveries are made at our site in Egypt, she is always the first one to enter these rooms so that history will record that she was the first African American inside of the burial chambers of Karakhamun and Karabasken, and the newly discovered tomb where we recently found the canopic jars of Amenirdis.”
This year is the 10th anniversary of the ASA Restoration Project that was established to honor the late Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III, an esteemed psychologist, historian, master teacher, and author who has been internationally recognized for his outstanding scholarship regarding ancient Egyptian history.
“The project is named in honor of Asa Hilliard and is my way honoring a man who played a pivotal role in my life and my career,” said Browder.
According to Browder, the past decade has seen the excavation and restoration of the 2700-year-old tombs of Karabasken, the Mayor of Waset (Luxor and Karnak) and Karakhamun, “a priest, who played a major role in organizing cultural and spiritual activities at Karnak Temple – the largest temple on earth.”
Browder and his team are still working to better understand and share the ancient knowledge that will change understanding of Nile Valley history and culture. As an educator, he is making sure that this knowledge is passed down to the next generations.
“All of my books are used in school systems throughout America and around the world,” said Browder. “I’ve authored six books, co-authored two books with my daughter and four books with others.”
Browder added, “We have just developed a Saturday academy that will be held in 12 cities and will be expanding to other cities in the near future.”
Browder and his team are set to complete the restoration and open the tombs in 2023. They also have plans to create a Visitors Center and a research facility for African Americans in Luxor, Egypt.
“I have been doing this work for 37 years and will spend the rest of my life training my replacements,” said Browder.
“In other words…the best is yet to come.”
