The Science of the Dogon

The Dogon people of Mali, West Africa, are famous for their unique art and advanced cosmology. The Dogon's creation story describes how the one true god, Amma, created all the matter of the universe. Interestingly, the myths that depict his creative efforts bear a striking resemblance to the modern scientific definitions of matter, beginning with the atom and extending to the vibrating threads of string theory.

In "The Science of the Dogon," Laird Scranton demonstrates how the Dogon creation story describes the same science of matter and energy that we know today. He reveals how these scientific correlations are supported by the sacred symbols that form Dogon mythology, as recorded by ethnographer Marcel Griaule. He also explains how these symbols were used in both ancient Egyptian and ancient Jewish religions, showing the unity of human spiritual expression.

Key Topics Covered

• The parallels between Dogon symbols and scientific concepts
• The connection between Dogon and Egyptian symbolism
• The relationship between Dogon myths and modern physics
• The significance of the Sirius star system in Dogon cosmology
• The preservation of ancient knowledge through oral tradition

Reviews

"A fascinating exploration of how ancient African wisdom can illuminate our understanding of the cosmos and modern physics."