1977 – Oracle Bones Reveal Early Black Presence in Chinese Lore

On June 16, 1977, researchers confirmed that ancient oracle bones uncovered in China contained references to \”Black foreign warriors\” during the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE), deepening the debate around early African-Asian contact. These inscriptions, though hotly debated in academic circles, contributed to a growing body of Afrocentric scholarship investigating pre-colonial global Black presence. The research was published in translated form on this date, sparking international interest and raising questions about cross-cultural interactions that predate European colonialism. While mainstream historians urge caution, June 16 marks a moment when the academic world was forced to reckon with the possibility that Africans may have influenced or participated in ancient Asian civilizations. This expands the narrative of Black global history beyond Africa and the Americas, challenging Eurocentric timelines and placing Africans within the broader tapestry of world civilization.