Why did archaeologists originally believed that the Swahili people were not African?

Answer 1

Archaeologists originally believed that the Swahili people were not African due to the presence of extensive trade networks and cultural influences from the Middle East and Asia, which suggested to them that the Swahili civilization was primarily foreign in origin. The sophisticated urban centers, Islamic architecture, and the use of Arabic script led some scholars to conclude that the Swahili were descendants of Arab or Persian traders rather than indigenous Africans. Additionally, the perception of racial and cultural hierarchies contributed to the misunderstanding of the Swahili's rich African heritage, which intertwines with Indigenous African traditions. Recent research has challenged these views, highlighting the Swahili's deep-rooted connections to the African continent.