Understanding Washington, D.C. Througha Kemetic lens, 2009
Mitchell, III, Earle Cameron
2000-2009
Washington. D.C.s urban plan has been studied from Baroque and Parisian standpoints, amongst others. However, understanding Americas capital urban plan from a Kemelic perspective has rarely been attempted. The objective of this investigation was to examine Kemetic symbols within the urban plan, street layout, of Washington, D.C., and to add another, ancient African narrative to the way the city can be interpreted. This study is significant because it explores an overlooked, understudied, yet essential, contribution from an ancient African culture. Kemet. The theoretical framework employed in this research comes from Molefi Asantes Afrocentricity theory. This theory was employed because it places African phenomena at the center of the research. Further, Afroccntricity, allowed for an expansion of the current conversation as it pertains to discussing the urban plan of Washington. In addition, a hermeneutical methodology was utilized to analyze particular maps, and ancient Kemetic papyri, to show how Kemetic symbols could be seen within the citys uiban plan. Information was gathered from maps, hand-drawn maps, papyri, texts, and visits to the nations pital. The conclusions drawn from the analysis illustrate that there are Kemetic symbols found within the urban plan of Washington, D.C. Lastly, the research provides evidence that, from its inception, Washington, D.C. had Kemetic symbols incorporated into its urban plan: and that past and present builders may be aware of this Kemetic presence.
text
application/pdf
2009-05-01
thesis
Master of Arts (MA)
Clark Atlanta University
School of Arts and Sciences, African-American Studies
Bradley, Josehine Scott, Thomas Organ, David
Georgia--Atlanta
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2009_mitchell_earle_c_iii
