By Ikram Tlemsani – March 26, 2025
For too long, the contributions of ancient civilizations like the Numidians and their intellectual descendants have been relegated to obscurity. It is time to set the record straight and give credit where it is due. The narrative that Westerners—often referred to as “Gog and Magog”—were the great innovators of science and medicine collapses under scrutiny. In truth, they discovered little on their own; instead, they appropriated the groundbreaking research and ideas of Arab Muslim scholars. A glaring example of this intellectual theft lies in the use of vegetable charcoal, a remedy championed by Arab scientists centuries before it became a cornerstone of modern medicine.
Charcoal: An Ancient Arab Remedy
North African Arab scholars (from Algeria and Tunisia) had already harnessed the medicinal virtues of vegetable charcoal in antiquity, fully aware of its exceptional therapeutic properties. Produced by burning wood in low-oxygen conditions, vegetable charcoal possesses remarkable absorbent qualities due to its ultra-porous structure. It was thus a key element of traditional Arab medicine long before the West discovered it.
Historical records reveal that renowned Arab physicians such as Ibn al-Jazzar (898–980), author of Zad al-Musafir wa Qut al-Hadir, a highly influential medical book covering various diseases and treatments (including pediatric and psychiatric conditions); Al-Zahrawi (936–1013), the father of modern surgery; Al-Majriti (950–1007), an expert in chemistry and toxicology; Ibn Wafid (997–1074), a pharmacologist; Al-Ghafiqi (d. 1165), whose Kitab al-Adwiya al-Mufrada became the definitive reference in pharmacology and ophthalmology; Ibn al-Khatib (1313–1374), who studied contagion theory; Averroes (Ibn Rushd, 1126–1198), philosopher and physician; Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar, 1091–1162), a pioneer in surgery and experimental medicine; Ibn Juljul (944–994), a historian of medicine; Ibn Khalṣun (d. 1320), who researched epidemics and transmission; Al-Tignari (11th century), who wrote on medicinal plants; Ibn al-Labbana (11th century), an expert in dietetics; Al-Muradi (12th century), a medical and surgical scholar; Ibn Tufayl (1105–1185), who explored physiology; Al-Bakri (1014–1094), a geographer and botanist; Ibn al-Khatima (14th century), who analyzed the Black Death with near-modern epidemiological insight; Ibn Gharsiya (11th century), a botanist; Abu Marwan ibn Zuhr (12th century), a master of internal medicine and surgery; Ibn Hazm (994–1064), who wrote on psychology and human physiology—and many others—all documented the effects and benefits of activated charcoal extensively. They prescribed it for digestive disorders (bloating, gas) and poisoning. The scientific principle was simple yet profound: charcoal absorbs toxins and gases in the stomach and intestines, alleviating symptoms. Beyond internal use, ancient Arab texts also highlight its role in water purification—an early testament to their understanding of its detoxifying properties.
The Craft of “Mardouma”
The preparation of this charcoal was an art form in itself. Known among Arabs as “mardouma,” the traditional method ensured a pure, carbon-rich product. This meticulous process reflected the sophistication of their scientific practices. Beyond ingestion, charcoal was also used externally—applied to wounds, it prevented infection and reduced inflammation by drawing out impurities. These techniques reveal a knowledge that was both practical and innovative.
Stolen Legacy, Modern Revival
Today, the West proudly touts “activated charcoal” as a modern marvel, used in hospitals for poisoning cases and sold in health stores for digestive issues. Yet this is no new discovery—it is a refined version of the very substance Arab scholars mastered centuries ago. The parallels are undeniable: what we now call “activated charcoal” owes its origins to the pioneering work of these Muslim scientists, whose research laid the foundation for its medical applications.
The story of vegetable charcoal is but one thread in a vast tapestry of intellectual plunder. Arab Muslim scholars were trailblazers in fields from astronomy to pharmacology, yet their contributions were often erased or repackaged by the West. The Numidians, as part of this broader North African and Arab legacy, deserve recognition for their role in shaping human knowledge.
Rewriting History
It is high time we challenge the Eurocentric lens dominating our understanding of scientific history. The West did not invent these remedies—it inherited them, often without acknowledgment. As we marvel at charcoal’s versatility today, let us honor the Arab scholars who first unlocked its potential. Their work was not merely a gift to their era; it was a legacy stolen and repurposed—one we must now reclaim for its rightful owners.
From the ancient Numidians to the Arab Muslim scholars of Algeria, Tunisia, and Andalusia (conquered by the commander Tariq ibn Ziyad al-Walhassi al-Tlemceni al-Jaza’iri—an Algerian), they are not mere footnotes in history. They were the architects of progress—and it is time the world remembered that.
