NEW YORK - Today, scholars universally recognize Africa as the source of our common ancestry. But in 1974, Senegalese scholar and humanist Cheikh Anta Diop (1923–1986) shocked and challenged historians with his groundbreaking book, The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality. In that now-classic text, he asserted that ancient Egypt—whose civilization was a source for the subsequent development of cultural traditions in the rest of the African continent and the Western world—belongs to Africa. In recognition of Diop’s visionary call to acknowledge Africa’s foundational role in major cultural developments, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition The African Origin of Civilization, opening December 14, will present, for the first time in the Museum’s history, iconic works from its collections from West and Central Africa alongside art from ancient Egypt. Additionally, important creations by master sculptors from sub-Saharan Africa will be highlighted in permanent collection galleries across the Museum.

Forty-two masterpieces of African art spanning five millennia will be displayed in the exhibition, which features highlights from two areas of The Met collection—the Department of Egyptian Art and The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing—in a series of visual and thematic juxtapositions. Twenty-one examples of the artistry from ancient Egypt, created between about 3650 and 350 B.C.E., will be paired with 21 works from sub-Saharan Africa, ranging in date from the 16th to the mid-20th century and representing more than a dozen distinct artistic traditions. Materials primarily include gold and other metals, stone, wood, and ceramics. Despite the chronological and geographical distance between the works in these two distinct collections, visitors will discern unexpected parallels and contrasts that will deepen their understanding of the breadth and depth of Africa as a source of civilization with unparalleled complexity and longevity.

The exhibition is made possible by The Daniel P. Davison Fund and Louise Grunwald. 

Since 1982, The Met’s holdings of art from sub-Saharan Africa have been displayed in The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, whose galleries are currently undergoing a major renovation, reenvisioning, and reinstallation. Launched six years ago, this capital project—scheduled for completion in 2024—provides a unique opportunity for visitors to experience superb works of art from West and Central Africa in new contexts across The Met campus.

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing was inaugurated in 1982 to house The Met’s collection of African art, Oceanic art, and ancient American art. A foundational collection of some 500 works from sub-Saharan Africa devoted primarily to figurative sculpture from West and Central Africa was given to the Museum by Nelson Rockefeller from his personal collection in 1969. Over time, additional gifts and acquisitions have deepened the collection and expanded its scope. It now encompasses some 4,000 works relating to 206 distinct cultures and 39 nations, from Ethiopia to South Africa.

Department of Egyptian Art

The holdings of the Department of Egyptian Art at The Met date from the Paleolithic to the Roman Period (ca. 300,000 B.C.–A.D. 4th century). The collection comprises approximately 29,000 objects of artistic, cultural, and historical importance. More than half of them are derived from the Museum's 35 years of archaeological excavations in Egypt, initiated in 1906 in response to increasing Western interest in the culture of ancient Egypt. The capstone of the collection is The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing, which was given by the government of Egypt to the people of the United States in 1967.

The exhibition is a partnership organized by Alisa LaGamma, Ceil and Michael E. Pulitzer Curator in Charge of The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, and Diana Craig Patch, Lila Acheson Wallace Curator in Charge of the Department of Egyptian Art.  The “guest appearances” of African sculptures in galleries across the Museum represents collaborations between Alisa LaGamma and her curatorial counterparts in The American Wing and The Robert Lehman Collection and the departments of Ancient Near Eastern Art, Arms and Armor, European Paintings, European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, Greek and Roman Art, Islamic Art, Medieval Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Musical Instruments.

December 14, 2021 – Ongoing

The King's Acquaintances Memi and Sabu, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4, ca. 2575–2465 B.C. From Egypt; Probably from Memphite Region, Giza, Western Cemetery. Painted limestone. H. 62 × W. 24.5 × D. 16 cm, 28.8 kg (24 7/16 × 9 5/8 × 6 5/16 in., 63.4 lb.). Rogers Fund, 1948 (48.111) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Seated Couple, 18th–early 19th century, Mali, Dogon peoples. Wood, metal. H. 28 3/4 × W. 8 5/8 × D. 8 in. (73 × 21.9 × 20.3 cm). Gift of Lester Wunderman, 1977 (1977.394.15) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Guardian Figure, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Amenemhat II, ca. 1919–1885 B.C. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South, tomb of Imhotep, chamber inside the south enclosure wall, MMA excavations, 1913–14. Cedar wood, plaster, paint. H. 57.6 cm (22 11/16 in.); W. 11 cm (4 5/16 in.); D. 26 cm (10 1/4 in.). Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1914 (14.3.17) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Commemorative Portrait of a Chief (Singiti), 19th–early 20th century, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luika River region, Hemba peoples. Wood. H. 30 11/16 × W. 7 11/16 × D. 8 in. (78 × 19.5 × 20.3 cm). Purchase, Jane and Gerald Katcher, Lila Acheson Wallace, Daniel and Marian Malcolm, Hamilton E. James, Anonymous and Steven Kossak Gifts, 2015 (2015.119) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Striding Man, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 6, reign of Merenre or Pepy II, ca. 2255-2152 B.C. rom Egypt, Memphite Region, Lisht South. Wood, H. 46.6 × W. 11.3 × D. 9 cm (18 3/8 × 4 7/16 × 3 9/16 in.). Purchase, Frederick P. Huntley Bequest, 1959 (59.50.2)  © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Commemorative Post: Male (Ngya), late 19th century, South Sudan, Bongo peoples. Wood, H. 75 1/2 × W. (approx.) 9 1/2 × D. 9 1/4 in. (191.8 × 24.1 × 23.5 cm). Purchase, Louis V. Bell and Harris Brisbane Dick Funds and Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, 1973 (1973.264) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Statue of the Official Merti, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, reign of Isesi–Unis, ca. 2381–2323 B.C. probably. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Tomb of Merti, Egyptian Antiquities Service excavations. Acacia, gesso, paint, H. 101 × W. 51.3 × D. 43.7 cm (39 3/4 × 20 3/16 × 17 3/16 in.), Rogers Fund, 1926 (26.2.4a–c) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Staff of Office: Ceremonial stool, chain, and swords motif (ȯkyeame poma), ca. 1930s, Ghana, Akan peoples, Asante group. Wood, gold foil, H. 63 7/8 x W. 4 3/8 x D. 3 5/8 in. (162.2 x 11.1 x 9.2 cm). Gift of Drs. Herbert F. and Teruko S. Neuwalder, 1987 (1987.452.2a-c) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Statue of the God Ptah, Third Intermediate Period, ca. 1070–712 B.C. From Egypt. Bronze, gold leaf, glass. H. 30 × W. 9.5 × D. 5.5 cm (11 13/16 × 3 3/4 × 2 3/16 in.); H. (with tang): 31.9 cm (12 9/16 in.). Purchase, Gift in memory of Manuel Schnitzer, 2009 (2009.175) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Horn Player, 1550–1680,Nigeria, Court of Benin, Edo peoples. Brass, H. 24 3/4 × W. 11 1/2 × D. 6 3/4 in. (62.9 × 29.2 × 17.2 cm), The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972 (1978.412.310) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Goddess Isis and her Son Horus, Ptolemaic Period, 332–30 B.C. From Egypt. Faience, H. 17 cm (6 11/16 in); W. 5.1 cm (2 in.); D. 7.7 cm (3 1/16 in.). Purchase, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest Fund, 1955 (55.121.5) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tyekpa Maternity Figure, 19th–20th century, Côte d'Ivoire, northern Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo peoples. Wood, oil patina, H. 21 1/2 × W. 7 1/4 × D. 8 in. (54.6 × 18.4 × 20.3 cm). Gift of Lawrence Gussman, 1981 (1981.397) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

King Sahure Accompanied by a Divine Figure, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 5, reign of Sahure,ca. 2458–2446 B.C. From Egypt. Gneiss. H. 64 × W. 46 × D. 41.5 cm, 127 kg (25 3/16 × 18 1/8 × 16 5/16 in., 280 lb.), Rogers Fund, 1918 (18.2.4) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Plaque: Warrior and Attendants, 16th–17th century, Nigeria, Court of Benin, Edo peoples. Brass, H. 18 3/4 × W. 15 × D. 4 1/4 in. (47.6 × 38.1 × 10.8 cm). Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1990 (1990.332) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Estate Figure, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, early reign of Amenemhat I, ca. 1981–1975 B.C. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Meketre (TT 280, MMA 1101), serdab, MMA excavations, 1920. Wood, gesso, paint, H. 112 cm (44 1/8 in.); W. 17 cm (6 11/16 in.); D. 46.7 cm (18 3/8 in.), Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1920, (20.3.7) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Royal Seat (Lupona): Female Caryatid, 19th century (?), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Shankadi region, Lovoi River region, Luba peoples. Wood, glass beads, H. 23 1/4 x W. 11 x D. 10 7/8 in. (59.1 x 27.9 x 27.6 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1969, (1978.412.317) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lid to Canopic Jar Depicting a Queen, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, Dynasty 18, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1349–1330 B.C. or shortly thereafter. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Valley of the Kings, Tomb KV 55, Davis/Ayrton excavations, 1907. Travertine (Egyptian alabaster), blue glass, obsidian, unidentified stone? H. 18.2 × Diam. 16.6 cm, 3.9 kg (7 3/16 × 6 9/16 in., 8.6 lb.)? Theodore M. Davis Collection, Bequest of Theodore M. Davis, 1915 (30.8.54) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Memorial Head (Nsodie), ca. 1800, Ghana, Twifo-Heman traditional area, Akan peoples. Terracotta. H. 7 3/4 × W. 6 × D. 7 in. (19.7 × 15.2 × 17.8 cm), Gift of Evelyn Kranes Kossak, The Kronos Collections, 2015 (2015.790) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Face of Senwosret III, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, reign of Senwosret III, ca. 1878–1840 B.C. From Egypt. Red quartzite? H. 16.5 × W. 12.6 × D. 11.4 cm (6 1/2 × 4 15/16 × 4 1/2 in.). Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926 (26.7.1394) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Head of an Oba, 16th century, Nigeria, Court of Benin, Edo peoples. Brass, H. 9 1/4 x W. 8 5/8 x D. 9 in. (23.5 x 21.9 x 22.9 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.86) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bes-image Rattle, Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 22–25, a. 945–664 BC.Faience.H. 21.6 cm (8 1/2 in.); W. 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.); Th. 1.7 cm (11/16 in.). Purchase, 2007 Benefit Fund and Lila Acheson Wallace and Diane Carol Brandt Gifts, 2015 (2015.11) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Helmet Mask (Gelede), 20th century, Nigeria or Republic of Benin, Yoruba peoples, Ketu group. Wood, H. 22 1/2 x W. 15 1/4 x D. 18 in. (57.2 x 38.7 x 45.7 cm), Gift of Paul and Ruth W. Tishman, 1990 (1990.336) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ritual Figure, Late Period or Early Ptolemaic Period, Dynasty 30 or later 380–246 B.C. From Egypt. Wood, formerly clad with lead sheet. H. 20.8 × W. 14.5 × D. 11 cm (8 3/16 × 5 11/16 × 4 5/16 in.); H. (with tang): 23.3 cm (9 3/16 in.). Purchase, Anne and John V. Hansen Egyptian Purchase Fund, and Magda Saleh and Jack Josephson Gift, 2003 (2003.154) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Male Power Figure (Nkisi), 9th–mid-20th century, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kongo peoples Wood, pigment, nails, cloth, beads, shells, arrows, leather, nuts, twine; H. 23 1/8 x D. 10 1/4 x W. 10 in. (58.8 x 26 x 25.4 cm) 1979.206.127The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.127) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 Fragment of a Queen's Face, New Kingdom, Amarna Period, Dynasty 18, reign of Akhenaten, ca. 1353–1336 B.C. From Egypt; Probably from Middle Egypt, Amarna (Akhetaten) Yellow jasper, h. 13 cm (5 1/8 in); w. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in); d. 12.5 cm (4 15/16 in), Purchase, Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1926 (26.7.1396) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba, 16th century, Nigeria, Court of Benin, Edo peoples Bone/Ivory-Sculpture. H. 9 3/8 x W. 5 x D. 2 1/2 in. (23.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm), The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972 (1978.412.323) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Funerary Mask of Estate Manager Wah, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, early reign of Amenemhat I, ca. 1981–1975 B.C. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Southern Asasif, Tomb of Wah (MMA 1102), Mummy, MMA excavations, 19200 Cartonnage, wood, paint, gold foil. H. 68 cm (26 3/4 in.); W. 33.2 cm (13 1/16 In.); D. 33.4 cm (13 1/8 in.). Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1940 (40.3.54) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Portrait Mask (Mblo), late 19th–early 20th century, Côte d'Ivoire, central Côte d'Ivoire, Baule peoples. Wood, pigment. H. 14 3/4 × W. 6 3/4 × D. 4 1/2 in. (37.5 × 17.1 × 11.4 cm). Purchase, Rogers Fund and Daniel and Marian Malcolm Gift, 2004 (2004.445) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Mother and "Child", Second Intermediate Period–Early New Kingdom, Dynasty 17–early 18, ca. 1580–1479 B.C. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Asasif, Burial B44, East of Pabasa, inside coffin, MMA excavations, 1918–19. Pottery, linen, unfired clay, unsaturated oil or resin, seeds; mother: H. 18 × W. 6.5 × D. 4.7 cm (7 1/16 × 2 9/16 × 1 7/8 in.); baby: H. approx. 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in.)0 Rogers Fund, 1919 (19.3.190).  © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 Fertility Figure: Female (Akua Ba), 19th–20th century, Ghana, Asante peoples. Wood, beads, string. H. 10 11/16 x W. 3 13/16 x D. 1 9/16 in. (27.2 x 9.7 x 3.9 cm)0 The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.75) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Barque Sphinx, Late Period, Dynasty 26, ca. 664–525 B.C. From Egypt. Leaded bronze. H. 20.5 × L. 16 × W. 4.5 cm (8 1/16 × 6 5/16 × 1 3/4 in.); H. (with tang): 23.3 cm (9 3/16 in.). Purchase, Gift of Henry Walters, by exchange; Liana Weindling Gift, in memory of her mother, and Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 2011 (2011.96) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Headdress: Serpent (a-Mantsho-ña-Tshol), 19th–20th century, Guinea, Niger River region, Baga peoples. Wood, pigment. H. 77 1/2 in. × W. 8 3/4 in. × D. 12 in. (196.9 × 22.2 × 30.5 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.101) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Diadem with a Pair of Gazelle Heads, New Kingdom, early Dynasty 18, reign of Thutmose III, ca. 1479–1425 B.C. From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes, Wadi Gabbanat el-Qurud, Wadi D, Tomb of the Three Foreign Wives of Thutmose III. Gold, carnelian, opaque turquoise glass, decayed crizzled glass. L. of forehead band 48 cm (18 7/8 in.); W. at bottom of vertical strip 3 cm (1 1/8 in.). Purchase, George F. Baker and Mr. and Mrs. V. Everit Macy Gifts, 1920 (26.8.99) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Male Ci Wara Headdress, 19th century, Mali, Banimounitié region, Bamana peoples. Wood, metal. H. 30 × W. 4 1/4 × D. 5 3/4 in. (76.2 × 10.8 × 14.6 cm). Purchase, Andrea Bollt Bequest, in memory of Robert Bollt Sr. and Robert Bollt Jr., 2016 (2016.574) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lion Cub, Early Dynastic Period, Dynasty 1, ca. 3100–2900 B.C. From Egypt; Said to be from Southern Upper Egypt, Gebelein (Krokodilopolis). Quartzite. L. 23.4 x H. 12 x W. 12.5 cm (9 3/16 x 4 3/4 x 4 15/16 in.). Purchase, Fletcher Fund and The Guide Foundation Inc. Gift, 1966 (66.99.2) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Leopard, 1550–1680, Nigeria, Court of Benin, Edo peoples. Brass. H. 15 1/2 in. × W. 5 in. × D. 15 1/2 in. (39.4 × 12.7 × 39.4 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972 (1978.412.321) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Hippopotamus, Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 12, Senwosret I to Senwosret II, ca. 1961–1878 B.C.. From Egypt, Middle Egypt, Meir, Tomb B3 of the nomarch Senbi II, pit 1 (steward Senbi), Khashaba excavations, 1910. Faience. L. 20 cm (7 7/8 in.); W. 7.5 cm (2 15/16 in.); H. 11.2 cm (4 7/16 in.). Gift of Edward S. Harkness, 1917 (17.9.1) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Power Object (Boli), 19th–first half of 20th century, Mali, Bamana peoples. Wood, sacrificial materials (patina). H. 14 1/4 × W. 7 1/4 × D. 20 1/2 in. (36.2 × 18.4 × 52.1 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.175) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Headrest of Khentika, Old Kingdom, Dynasty 6, ca. 2323–2150 B.C. From Egypt, Memphite Region, Saqqara, Teti Pyramid Cemetery, Tomb of Khentika, Shaft B, Egyptian Antiquities Service excavations. Travertine (Egyptian alabaster). H. 19.1 × W. 17.9 × D. 8.2 cm (7 1/2 × 7 1/16 × 3 1/4 in.). Rogers Fund, 1926 (26.2.11) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Headrest: Female Caryatid Figure, Master of the Cascade Coiffure, 19th century, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Shankadi region, Lovoi River region, Luba peoples. Wood, beads. H. 6 3/8 × W. 5 1/8 × D. 4 in. (16.2 × 13 × 10.2 cm). Gift of Margaret Barton Plass, in honor of William Fagg, C.M.G., 1981 (1981.399) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bowl with Human Feet, Predynastic, Late Naqada l–Naqada II, ca. 3700–3450 B.C. From Egypt. Pottery (red polished ware), diam. 13.2 x W. 13.7 x D. 9.8 cm (5 3/16 x 5 3/8 x 3 7/8 in.). Rogers Fund, 1910 (10.176.113) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Ceremonial Ladle (Wakemia or Wunkirmian), 19th–mid-20th century, Côte d'Ivoire or Liberia, Dan peoples. Wood, pigment. H. 3 1/8 × W. 3 1/2 × D. 18 1/4 in. (7.9 × 8.9 × 46.4 cm). The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.264) © 2000–2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art.