Black Christians in Ancient Israel? Rare African Figurines Found in 1,500-Year-Old Desert Graves
- So Am I Books
- Jun 24
- 4 min read
A Biblical Revelation in the Desert
In a historic breakthrough for Biblical archaeology, Israeli archaeologists have uncovered 1,500-year-old Christian burials in the Negev Desert, accompanied by stunningly detailed African-style figurines. These artifacts were carved from African ebony and animal bone, depicting distinctively African features and forms.
The discovery reveals a rarely discussed truth: Africans were not only present in ancient Israel—they were also Christian believers, buried with honor and remembrance.
Why These Figurines Are So Rare
Ebony is native to tropical Africa and was extremely expensive and rare in the Levant.
The figures showcase unmistakably African hairstyles, facial features, and cultural motifs.
Carved from bone and hardwood, they show artistic craftsmanship not commonly found in Israeli graves from this period.
They were found in Christian burials, indicating they held religious or ceremonial significance.
"This isn’t just an archaeological find—it’s a testimony to the multicultural fabric of early Christianity and Africa’s central role in it."— Soamibooks Historical Research Division
Africa’s Early Embrace of Christianity
Contrary to popular belief, Christianity did not begin in Europe. Its earliest roots were in Asia and Africa:
The Gospel reached Ethiopia by the 1st century, possibly through the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8.
Alexandria, Egypt, became one of the first Christian intellectual hubs.
Nubia and Aksum (in present-day Sudan and Ethiopia) were early Christian kingdoms by the 4th century.
The burial figurines suggest that African believers—whether as pilgrims, residents, or missionaries—were actively present in the Holy Land during this period.
Southern Israel: A Crossroad of Faith and Trade
The Negev Desert may seem remote today, but 1,500 years ago it sat at the heart of a thriving international trade network:
Caravans moved goods between Africa, Arabia, and the Mediterranean.
Ebony, ivory, spices, and gold flowed through this region.
African Christians likely journeyed to Israel via trade or religious pilgrimage.
These figurines offer a physical link to these historical movements, blending African identity with Christian spirituality.
The Black Face of Early Christianity
Too often, the face of early Christianity has been whitewashed in art and scholarship. But discoveries like this reveal:
Africans were among the first Christians, not just passive converts.
They were leaders, theologians, pilgrims, and everyday believers.
Saints like Tertullian, Augustine, and Cyprian were North African Church Fathers.
African Christianity was not derivative—it was foundational.
These figurines give a face—literally and symbolically—to Black believers in the land of the Bible.
African—or Israelite? Rethinking the Identity of the Figurines
While mainstream media has labeled these figurines as “African,” another possibility is worth exploring:
What if these were not merely African artifacts—but Israelite in origin?
The features carved in ebony may reflect the true appearance of ancient Israelites, many of whom were Black and Afro-Asiatic in ethnicity.
These figurines were found in Israel, not Africa—suggesting a native presence, not just visitors or traders.
If Israelites were scattered across Africa after exile, as many believe, these artifacts might represent a returning people or those who never left.
This opens up a compelling re-examination of who the Israelites were, and whether today’s “African” discoveries are actually pointing back to a forgotten Hebrew heritage.
Indeed, many historians and Biblical researchers have argued that the ancient Israelites were Black people, often indistinguishable from many Hamitic Africans in appearance, language, and lifestyle. The figurines, with their clear Black identity and presence in Israel, reinforce this conclusion.
What the Figurines Tell Us About Faith and Identity
The artifacts reflect more than just cultural art:
They symbolize the fusion of African identity with Christian belief.
Their inclusion in Christian burials may signal a local tradition of honoring African saints or ancestors.
They disrupt the narrative of a Eurocentric Christian history and invite us to consider a broader, truer picture.
Reclaiming the Lost Narrative
This discovery is part of a larger movement to reclaim Africa’s place in Biblical and early Church history:
It restores Black presence in the Holy Land, often erased or ignored.
It highlights the Afro-Asiatic cultural exchange that shaped the ancient world.
It affirms that Christianity was never a “Western religion”—it was always global.
Quick Facts About the Discovery
Location: Southern Israel (Negev Desert)
Estimated Date: ~1,500 years old (5th–6th century CE)
Origin of Material: Ebony from sub-Saharan Africa
Depictions: African facial features, hairstyles
Context: Found in Christian burial graves
Historical Period: Early Byzantine Empire
Closing Thoughts: Buried but Not Forgotten
The African figurines discovered in the Israeli desert speak volumes—without a single word.
They remind us that Africa was not on the fringes of early Christianity—it was at its very heart. These carved images of Black men and women, placed lovingly in Christian graves, declare what history books have long ignored:
Black people lived, believed, and were buried in the land of the Bible—and they carried the Gospel with dignity and distinction.
Let this discovery awaken a generation to the truth about who the early believers were, and may it inspire a deeper search into the buried roots of faith.
