![]() Records of ancient Egypt tell much about the history of Nubia, documenting a long and complex relationship between the two lands. But the art and writing of Nubians and of peoples contemporary with them also give important evidence. ![]() Most information about ancient Nubia comes from archaeological excavation and from the study of monuments and rock art found there. Bartering cattle, gold, carnelian, ivory, animal skins, hardwood, incense, and dates, Nubians traded with the Egyptians, their neighbors to the north, for grain, vegetable oils, wine, beer, linen, and other manufactured goods. In the deserts, Nubians mined carnelian and gold, as well as other mineral resources. But especially important were their herds of cattle, a measure of wealth and social status. Farmers grew grains, peas, lentils, dates, and possibly melons. Many Nubians lived along the Nile which curved northward through the desert. Over time, new people moved into the region from the south, so that Nubia’s population was often a diverse mix of African peoples. Originally herdsmen and hunters of large animals, they eventually became fishermen and farmers. They brought with them the art of making pottery. ![]() Monuments still stand-in modern Egypt and Sudan-at the sites where Nubian rulers built cities, temples, and royal pyramids.Īfrican people from what is now the Sahara began to move toward the Nile in Nubia by around 5000 BC. Kings of Nubia ultimately conquered and ruled Egypt for about a century. Known for rich deposits of gold, Nubia was also the gateway through which luxury products like incense, ivory, and ebony traveled from their source in sub-Saharan Africa to the civilizations of Egypt and the Mediterranean.Īrchers of exceptional skill provided the military strength for Nubian rulers. Nubia was home to some of Africa’s earliest kingdoms.
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