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This book places into perspective the role of the African in world civilization, in particular his little-known contributions to the advancement of Europe. A major essay on the evolution of the Caucasoid discusses recent scientific discoveries of the African fatherhood of man and the shift towards albinism (dropping of pigmentation) by the Grimaldi African during an ice age (the Wurm Interstadial) in Europe. The debt owed to African and Arab Moors for certain inventions, usually credited to the Renaissance, is discussed, as well as the much earlier Afro-Egyptian influence on Greek science and philosophy. (95 illus.) African Presence in Early Europe puts in perspective the history of the role of the African in world culture. The authors consider recent archaeological and anthropological studies that present new evidence of little known contributions by African people to the advancement of European civilization. Articles detail the physical and cultural presence of Africans in Europe. Topics covered include: the debt owed to the Moors for the Renaissance; Leo Africanus's Geographical History of Africa as a source for Shakespeare's vision of Othello; the Africoid Grimaldis in Europe; the black Moors; the origin of certain aspects of Greek philosophy; African popes; and black madonnas. The book is divided into six parts: The First Europeans; African Presence in the Ancient Mediterranean Isles and Mainland Greece; Africans in the European Religious Hierarchy; African Presence in Western Europe; African Presence in Northern Europe; African Presence in Eastern Europe.