Arrival

This video clip shows the landing of Columbus and his fleet on the island of Guanahani which was renamed San Salvador by the Spanish.

Age of Exploration

Africa in the New World

In 1862, while drilling for oil in the modern Mexican state of Tabasco, a startling discovery was made. Buried beneath the jungle floor was a Colossal Stone head! Exhibiting negroid features, the head fell into none of the artistic styles of the known civilizations of Mexico. Years later in 1942, Archeologist Matthew Stirling was intrigued by this Colossal Head and began excavations at the nearby ancient city of La Venta.
Evidence of the early Africans is widespread and varied. Dozens of majestic stone heads have been found at ancient sacred sites, such as La Venta and Tres Zapotes in southern Mexico (See photograph). Ranging up to 9 feet and 4 inches in height, with a circumference of 22 feet, and weighing 30 to 40 tons, these colossal statues depict helmeted Black men with large eyes, broad fleshy noses and full lips. They appear to represent priest-kings who ruled vast territories in the ancient New World from provinces near the Gulf of Mexico.
Other art-work also serves as evidence of Africans in America before Columbus. For years the late art historian, Alexander Von Wuthenau, collected ancient clay figurines that provide clues regarding the diversity of America's pre-Columbian population. His remarkable African collection depicts priests, chiefs, dancers, wrestlers, drummers, beautiful women and stately men - a collage of Black people who occupied every stratum of society from Mexico to South America.

West Indian History Quiz #1 » make online tests

What is History

"Since history has no properly scientific value, its only purpose is educative. And if historians neglect to educate the public, if they fail to interest it intelligently in the past, then all their historical learning is valueless except in so far as it educates themselves." G. M. Trevelyan.


Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to define than those of engineering or medicine. History is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.
Peter Stearns

What are your thoughts on the above quotes?

Welcome to West Indian History

Hello students and welcome to the most important class you have ever registered for. I hope you find the experience rewarding and revealing. This blog is specifically designed to facilitate an ongoing discussion on history and its relevance to you. Each week a post will be made and you are to respond to that post by Friday 12 noon of the same week. After that time you will be able to comment but that comment will not be used for grading purposes. You MUST comment since this exercise is compulsory. Your comments should be no more than 150 words. Well let's get started and I know you will enjoy the journey.