Bruce Williams of the University of Chicago excavated areas of Nubia and in his published reports claimed that Nubia had a powerful monarchy--probably the first Pharaohs--and this is how the Egyptian pharaonic empire came to be. Furthermore, he claimed that these Nubian kings attacked Egypt, won, and for this reason, the First dynasty--and the dynasty before it--were actually Nubian.
Later graves have now been discovered in Egypt that are older than the royal graves of Qustel, but the findings of Williams is still strong proof that development around 3,100 BC occurred in both Nubia and Egypt. In fact, according to Robert G. Morkot, author of The Black Pharaohs, the "development of powerful states...[shows} that there was a mutual influence."
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Nubian Prehistory--and more proof why the University of Missouri needs to credit Nubia for its pot in its Exhibit
Pottery making in Nubia began 7,000 BC. Pottery and rock art has been found dating back that far. A common material culture began in force in Nubia as early as 7,000 BC.
As pottery making became more common, a style developed. The pots are reddish colored with a black band around their top.
Among the cultures that took root in Nubia: the Shabeinhab Culture-, the Abkan and Khartoun Culture and the Abkan Culture--the culture that designed their pottery. these coutures came to be between 4,000 BC and 3,))) BC--perhaps contemporary with the A group.
As pottery making became more common, a style developed. The pots are reddish colored with a black band around their top.
Among the cultures that took root in Nubia: the Shabeinhab Culture-, the Abkan and Khartoun Culture and the Abkan Culture--the culture that designed their pottery. these coutures came to be between 4,000 BC and 3,))) BC--perhaps contemporary with the A group.
Nubia: the Land of the Bow
"For many centuries, the Egyptians seemed to think that the people south of Elephantine (Nubia) was a potential danger. It was the king from the south that united the two countries so the dangerous potential of the south has always existed. Historically, the 'Land of the bow' was the ancient name...to what we now call Nubia.The fighting prowess of the Nubians and their skill with the bow has won them the name of 'pupil-smiters.'They have long fought in the army of the Egyptians as mercenaries. Their handiness with the spear and the javelin is also known. (p. 58)"
Artwork shows Nubians with bows as early as 7,000 BC. They had a lot to defend and they defended their land for thousands of years. Nubia was full of human, animal and natural resources--including gold and building materials not found in Egypt.
Source for the above two paragraphs: Necia Desiree Harkless, Nubian Pharaohs and Meroitic Kings
Artwork shows Nubians with bows as early as 7,000 BC. They had a lot to defend and they defended their land for thousands of years. Nubia was full of human, animal and natural resources--including gold and building materials not found in Egypt.
Source for the above two paragraphs: Necia Desiree Harkless, Nubian Pharaohs and Meroitic Kings
Egypt and Nubia--More Influences
According to Necia Desiree Harkless, the author of Nubian Pharaohs and Meroitic Kings, ancient Egypt was known as Kemet, but the "formal name seems to have been Tawy (The Two Lands) that means the black lands along the banks of the Nile River. The people called themselves the Kemites (The Black Ones). (p. 5)"
Egyptologists are now beginning to realize with the new evidence that "...the ancient Egyptiasn civilization is rooted in Africa... (p.8)"
The A group of Nubians lasted for about a thousand years. Through its vast trade, it had contacts to the south and to the north into Egypt. A major factor in their success is that control of the trade route.
Furthermore, there is now a lot of evidence that they developed into city states with leadership and other indicators of a structured society.
They probably came from the B group that preceded them--but not much is known about this group. (Remember: Nubians inhabited that area long before 10,000 BC.)
Lastly, a study on common genes between Egyptians and Nubians show they share genetic material. Click here to read the full article.
Egyptologists are now beginning to realize with the new evidence that "...the ancient Egyptiasn civilization is rooted in Africa... (p.8)"
The A group of Nubians lasted for about a thousand years. Through its vast trade, it had contacts to the south and to the north into Egypt. A major factor in their success is that control of the trade route.
Furthermore, there is now a lot of evidence that they developed into city states with leadership and other indicators of a structured society.
They probably came from the B group that preceded them--but not much is known about this group. (Remember: Nubians inhabited that area long before 10,000 BC.)
Lastly, a study on common genes between Egyptians and Nubians show they share genetic material. Click here to read the full article.
3,000 BC--The Development of an Empire in Nubia
3,000 BC and a settlement grew from a loose group of villages into a town. Within a few hundred more years, this town would develop into a large and successful settlement. Kerma, as the town is now known, became a major settlement at time Egypt was unifying into one nation.
It's location helped with the trade routes to the north and it became known for the trade of luxury products.
It's location helped with the trade routes to the north and it became known for the trade of luxury products.
Nubia's Influence on Egypt
Pedrals, a French archeologist, states in Cheikh Anta Diop's book, The African Origin of Civilization, that the objects and traditions of religion in ancient Egypt are Nubian.
Many individuals who study Nubian religion believe the worship of Amon began in Nubia, not Egypt. In fact, many scholars state the cult of Amon was well established in Nubia. (Necia Desiree Harkless, Nubian Pharaohs and Meroitic Kings)
And then Diop himself writes: "Egyptians themselves...recognize without ambiguity that their ancestors came from Nubia and the heart of Africa. (150)"
Many individuals who study Nubian religion believe the worship of Amon began in Nubia, not Egypt. In fact, many scholars state the cult of Amon was well established in Nubia. (Necia Desiree Harkless, Nubian Pharaohs and Meroitic Kings)
And then Diop himself writes: "Egyptians themselves...recognize without ambiguity that their ancestors came from Nubia and the heart of Africa. (150)"
Memes--the First Egyptian Pharaoh and He's Nubian
Egypt and Nubia--from a book published in 1933
In S. G. Seligman's short book, Egypt and Negro Africa, published in 1933, the author takes the position that Egypt had a far range influence on Africa. It's his view that Egypt benefitted Africa, not the other way around.
I found two major contradictions in the work.
On page 18, he gives credit to the Egyptians for the bow and arrow, but even at that time, there was enough evidence to prove the bow was not Egyptian, but Nubian. Before the First Dynasty, Nubian archers joined forces with others and helped unite what is today modern Egypt. These same warriors assisted the new country dynasty after dynasty,
Nubians were celebrated for their skill with the bow and arrow long before Egypt's First Dynasty.
The author contends that Divine Kingship originated in Egypt, but at the end of his book, on page 60, he writes: ""...[C}hronological factors forbid us to believe that the Divine Kings of the Sudan are directly due to Egyptian influence; rather must we regard them as examples of an old and widespread Hamitic belief..."
A number of blogs ago I wrote about how Africans may have brought their culture to the New World--and then, after research and contemplation, realized that the New World could just have easily brought their culture to Africa. After all, the New World pyramids are older than those in Egypt and Nubia.
With that in mind, isn't it possible that Divine Kingship developed in Nubia first (Sudan), spread to Egypt and other places, and eventually took on a life of its own? And can't it also be stated that the Hamites were influenced by the Nubians--not the other way around?
I found two major contradictions in the work.
On page 18, he gives credit to the Egyptians for the bow and arrow, but even at that time, there was enough evidence to prove the bow was not Egyptian, but Nubian. Before the First Dynasty, Nubian archers joined forces with others and helped unite what is today modern Egypt. These same warriors assisted the new country dynasty after dynasty,
Nubians were celebrated for their skill with the bow and arrow long before Egypt's First Dynasty.
The author contends that Divine Kingship originated in Egypt, but at the end of his book, on page 60, he writes: ""...[C}hronological factors forbid us to believe that the Divine Kings of the Sudan are directly due to Egyptian influence; rather must we regard them as examples of an old and widespread Hamitic belief..."
A number of blogs ago I wrote about how Africans may have brought their culture to the New World--and then, after research and contemplation, realized that the New World could just have easily brought their culture to Africa. After all, the New World pyramids are older than those in Egypt and Nubia.
With that in mind, isn't it possible that Divine Kingship developed in Nubia first (Sudan), spread to Egypt and other places, and eventually took on a life of its own? And can't it also be stated that the Hamites were influenced by the Nubians--not the other way around?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
More Mistakes from the Museum of Art and Archeology, University of Missouri
From the wall next to the display at the Museum of Art and Archeology located in Columbia at the University of Missouri, the information on the exhibit states:
"During the Predynastic period (about 4,000-3000BC) the people of the Nile Valley posessed an advanced Neolithic culture that included monumental architecture, invention of metalworking, establishment of Egyptian artistic style, and the beginning of writing...{A}bout 3000BC...{Egypt} united into a kingdom under one ruler."
Let's dissect this, shall we?
One--Nubians were already mining gold and other materials and people from what we now call Egypt were raiding and/or trading with Nubians to get materials.
Two--Pottery began in Nubia. Pottery discovered as old as 8,000BC is found in Nubia. The Nubian pottery is significantly marked and easy to identify as Nubian. The artistic style mentioned above is really a Nubian influence even if it made its way to Naqada.
Three--Nubian and the Nubian A-group already had a structured civilization during this period.
The above arguments gain strength when you read other entries in this blog. Nonetheless, Dr. Larry Ross from Lincoln University is one of the sources I am citing for mumbers one and two.
The second paragraph is even more skewed:
"The Middle Kingdom (about 1540-1075BC) produced a flowering of Egyptian literature and Egypt's first imperialistic expansion into Nubia."
Before Egypt was Egypt, there was what I and a few other scholars call the 0 Dynasty. This is the time when Nubians joined the forces of the Scorpion King and others to unify Egypt into what we now know as Egypt. We're talking 3,500-3,150BC. Furthermore, the influence of the Nubians on Egypt is felt in a number of ways--from pottery to metalworking to the mining of gold to religion to opening trade routes from the central parts of Africa to the sites of what we know as modern Egypt.
Furthermore, Egypt needed the trade routes with Nubia for much of its supplies--including gold and other minerals.
In other words, the land we now know as Egypt was already involved in imperialistic acts towards Nubia for thousands of years. (Remember: the Nubians who joined the armies of the Scorpion King came from Nubia to help unify Egypt.)
"During the Predynastic period (about 4,000-3000BC) the people of the Nile Valley posessed an advanced Neolithic culture that included monumental architecture, invention of metalworking, establishment of Egyptian artistic style, and the beginning of writing...{A}bout 3000BC...{Egypt} united into a kingdom under one ruler."
Let's dissect this, shall we?
One--Nubians were already mining gold and other materials and people from what we now call Egypt were raiding and/or trading with Nubians to get materials.
Two--Pottery began in Nubia. Pottery discovered as old as 8,000BC is found in Nubia. The Nubian pottery is significantly marked and easy to identify as Nubian. The artistic style mentioned above is really a Nubian influence even if it made its way to Naqada.
Three--Nubian and the Nubian A-group already had a structured civilization during this period.
The above arguments gain strength when you read other entries in this blog. Nonetheless, Dr. Larry Ross from Lincoln University is one of the sources I am citing for mumbers one and two.
The second paragraph is even more skewed:
"The Middle Kingdom (about 1540-1075BC) produced a flowering of Egyptian literature and Egypt's first imperialistic expansion into Nubia."
Before Egypt was Egypt, there was what I and a few other scholars call the 0 Dynasty. This is the time when Nubians joined the forces of the Scorpion King and others to unify Egypt into what we now know as Egypt. We're talking 3,500-3,150BC. Furthermore, the influence of the Nubians on Egypt is felt in a number of ways--from pottery to metalworking to the mining of gold to religion to opening trade routes from the central parts of Africa to the sites of what we know as modern Egypt.
Furthermore, Egypt needed the trade routes with Nubia for much of its supplies--including gold and other minerals.
In other words, the land we now know as Egypt was already involved in imperialistic acts towards Nubia for thousands of years. (Remember: the Nubians who joined the armies of the Scorpion King came from Nubia to help unify Egypt.)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Quick Tour of Nubian Prehistory
The following prehistory is taken from the book, Nubia Under the Pharaohs by Bruce G. Trigger (Westview Press, 1976):
"The Sebekian site at Kate Ombo suggests that as early as 12,000 BC abundant natural resources were being exploited intensively, permitting bands to inhabit single encampments throughout the year..." (24)
In 12,000 BC, there is also proof of warfare with the excavation of a cemetary at Gebel Sahaba in lower Nubia. (24)
Nubia has these groups: Khormusan (begimnning at 25,000 BC to 16,000 BC), Halfan (from 18,000BC to 14,000BC), Germaian (14,000BC to 7,000BC) and during that same period both Ballanan and Qadan. Sebekian (noted above) is located in what is now lower Egypt, but at the time upper Nubia. Egypt and Nubia share the culture, Sebilian, from 14,000BC to 8.000BC.(25)
Tool making, mining (sandstone, for example), and grinding stones were actively utilized from 25,000BC to 9,000BC. Furthermore, the oldest grinding stones known come from the region around 15,000BC.(26-27)
The Sebilian period may have additional technologies due to cultural exchanges with other groups--Tshitolian (from central Africa), Wadi Halfa (a culture on the Niles River), cultures located in the Sahara, and Halfan and Ballanancultures--both grounded in Nubia.(27)
Pottery began showing up and according to Trigger, black pottery with black rims and interiors was a Nubian model. Pottery came from a few African sites and were used in the region. (28-29)
Gold trade began around 3,500 BC--and there were many gold mines in Nubia. The gold moved into southwestern Asia through Egypt. (32)
According to Trigger, the A Group of Nubia may have been heavily influenced by the Egyptians. He claims there was an expansion of the Egyptian populatiomn into Nubia for any number of reasons--including political amnesty. (33)
Nubian mercenaries and toll masters (the individuals who controlled the trade routes from the south into Egypt) became active members of the Egyptian army. Trigger states: "It is tempting to think of the maces in Cemetery 137 as gifts to a Nubian leader for the role that he and his men played in the wars that had unified Egypt." (44)
OK--the work of your Nubian detective continues.
Was gold first mined in Nubia and then found its way to Egypt? Did Egyptians join the Nubians and become Nubians? Is there a more coherent archeological map showing Nubia as the people who jump started the Egyptian rise at the First Dynasty?
But we do know this: the black topped pottery in the University of Missouri's Archeological Museum is not Egyptian--but Nubian.
"The Sebekian site at Kate Ombo suggests that as early as 12,000 BC abundant natural resources were being exploited intensively, permitting bands to inhabit single encampments throughout the year..." (24)
In 12,000 BC, there is also proof of warfare with the excavation of a cemetary at Gebel Sahaba in lower Nubia. (24)
Nubia has these groups: Khormusan (begimnning at 25,000 BC to 16,000 BC), Halfan (from 18,000BC to 14,000BC), Germaian (14,000BC to 7,000BC) and during that same period both Ballanan and Qadan. Sebekian (noted above) is located in what is now lower Egypt, but at the time upper Nubia. Egypt and Nubia share the culture, Sebilian, from 14,000BC to 8.000BC.(25)
Tool making, mining (sandstone, for example), and grinding stones were actively utilized from 25,000BC to 9,000BC. Furthermore, the oldest grinding stones known come from the region around 15,000BC.(26-27)
The Sebilian period may have additional technologies due to cultural exchanges with other groups--Tshitolian (from central Africa), Wadi Halfa (a culture on the Niles River), cultures located in the Sahara, and Halfan and Ballanancultures--both grounded in Nubia.(27)
Pottery began showing up and according to Trigger, black pottery with black rims and interiors was a Nubian model. Pottery came from a few African sites and were used in the region. (28-29)
Gold trade began around 3,500 BC--and there were many gold mines in Nubia. The gold moved into southwestern Asia through Egypt. (32)
According to Trigger, the A Group of Nubia may have been heavily influenced by the Egyptians. He claims there was an expansion of the Egyptian populatiomn into Nubia for any number of reasons--including political amnesty. (33)
Nubian mercenaries and toll masters (the individuals who controlled the trade routes from the south into Egypt) became active members of the Egyptian army. Trigger states: "It is tempting to think of the maces in Cemetery 137 as gifts to a Nubian leader for the role that he and his men played in the wars that had unified Egypt." (44)
OK--the work of your Nubian detective continues.
Was gold first mined in Nubia and then found its way to Egypt? Did Egyptians join the Nubians and become Nubians? Is there a more coherent archeological map showing Nubia as the people who jump started the Egyptian rise at the First Dynasty?
But we do know this: the black topped pottery in the University of Missouri's Archeological Museum is not Egyptian--but Nubian.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The University of Missouri Archeology Museum--Mistaken Artifacts
Trade between Upper and Lower Egypt occurred before the first Dynasty of Egypt, before Egypt was Egypt. New objects excavated prove this point: a stone vase discovered at el-Amra, and copper, (which--along with gold--is not present in Egypt), found its way from Nubia--though it may have also come from Sinai. Obsidian and gold definitively came from Nubia.
Two artifacts on display at the Archeology Museum date to before Egypt was Egypt. These artifacts, I strongly believe, came from Nubia. The first, a black topped jar dated 3900-3150 BCE and the second a fish shaped cosmetic palette dated from around 3500 (give or take a few centuries)--both dated years before the First Dynasty of Egypt and add additional proof that Nubia was the civilization that formed the first Egypt--or at least a large influence). The muuseum claims they came from Naqada which is above the first cataract in the Niles--but already a mix of people from many places--and Egypt was not yet Egypt even though Nubia was already Nubia.
Furthermore, how would Egypt know about the large gold mines of Nubia if Nubians did not tell them. (Remember: Nubia was separated from Egypt by cataracts in the Niles that made it very difficult to navigate from one country to the next.)
Unfortunately, only about four percent of the artifacts owned by the museum at the Univrsity of Missouri are on display and I have no access to the other pieces--but I firmly believe that at last the pottery is not Egyptian, but Nubian.
I hope one of the curators of the musum reads this and lets me have access to the collection--or at least can offer proof that the dated artifacts are Egyptian even though Egypt did not begin as a nation until 3150 BCE.
And remember that Nubians were already occupants of the land.
Two artifacts on display at the Archeology Museum date to before Egypt was Egypt. These artifacts, I strongly believe, came from Nubia. The first, a black topped jar dated 3900-3150 BCE and the second a fish shaped cosmetic palette dated from around 3500 (give or take a few centuries)--both dated years before the First Dynasty of Egypt and add additional proof that Nubia was the civilization that formed the first Egypt--or at least a large influence). The muuseum claims they came from Naqada which is above the first cataract in the Niles--but already a mix of people from many places--and Egypt was not yet Egypt even though Nubia was already Nubia.
Furthermore, how would Egypt know about the large gold mines of Nubia if Nubians did not tell them. (Remember: Nubia was separated from Egypt by cataracts in the Niles that made it very difficult to navigate from one country to the next.)
Unfortunately, only about four percent of the artifacts owned by the museum at the Univrsity of Missouri are on display and I have no access to the other pieces--but I firmly believe that at last the pottery is not Egyptian, but Nubian.
I hope one of the curators of the musum reads this and lets me have access to the collection--or at least can offer proof that the dated artifacts are Egyptian even though Egypt did not begin as a nation until 3150 BCE.
And remember that Nubians were already occupants of the land.
Nubia--A Literate Society
Nubia was a literate society: "...its language was one of the first African ones to be written..."
This sentence sponsored by J. D. Fage and R. A. Oliver, editors of Papers in African Prehistory, Cambridge University Press, 1970, p. 286.
This sentence sponsored by J. D. Fage and R. A. Oliver, editors of Papers in African Prehistory, Cambridge University Press, 1970, p. 286.
Who Comes First Again--Nubia or Egypt?
After meeting with Dr. Larry Ross from Lincoln University located in Jefferson City, Missouri, I have began again an earnest search for truth, justice, and the historian's way.
I decided a few blogs back that all of the evidence points to Nubia as first. Now I have a lot more proof. So here goes--
According to Dr. Narri Zaroubi, the author of Egypt History (Vantage Press, 1977. p. 26-27), "The long age of Egypt before kings ruled over all Egypt is called the Prehistoric Period. This stage began with the first New Stone Age men who lived in Egypt. The people developed from mingling with the Nile's Paleolithic hunters, nomadic Libyans, Nubians and Southwest Asians. These communities became city-states. By 3500 BC these city states of if the Nile had combined into separate kingdoms..."
Isn't it interesting when the first Dynasty arised, the archers in the Egyptian armies were Nubian?
Egypt is made up of a lot of people, but note in the above paragraph that the Nubians were one of the first groups to organize it into communities.
I decided a few blogs back that all of the evidence points to Nubia as first. Now I have a lot more proof. So here goes--
According to Dr. Narri Zaroubi, the author of Egypt History (Vantage Press, 1977. p. 26-27), "The long age of Egypt before kings ruled over all Egypt is called the Prehistoric Period. This stage began with the first New Stone Age men who lived in Egypt. The people developed from mingling with the Nile's Paleolithic hunters, nomadic Libyans, Nubians and Southwest Asians. These communities became city-states. By 3500 BC these city states of if the Nile had combined into separate kingdoms..."
Isn't it interesting when the first Dynasty arised, the archers in the Egyptian armies were Nubian?
Egypt is made up of a lot of people, but note in the above paragraph that the Nubians were one of the first groups to organize it into communities.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What is the Meaning of the Colors in Egyptian Hieroglyphics?
There have been numerous arguments and discussion on the meaning of color in Egyptian representation.
There were no race issues in ancient Egypt or Nubia.
The color yellow was used for every female.
The color red was used for male humans.
The color black was used to represent Nubians (males), a number of Gods, the underworld, the dead, fertility and the heart--among other things.
Blue was used for skin color of solar Gods.
Egyptians tried to match color of skin with an actual color--so why yellow for all females?
There were no race issues in ancient Egypt or Nubia.
The color yellow was used for every female.
The color red was used for male humans.
The color black was used to represent Nubians (males), a number of Gods, the underworld, the dead, fertility and the heart--among other things.
Blue was used for skin color of solar Gods.
Egyptians tried to match color of skin with an actual color--so why yellow for all females?
More on Who Came First--Nubia or Egypt
Eight thousand years ago, Nubia was creating pottery.
Egypt was not.
Here's a direct quote from a paper in progress by Dr. Larry Ross, professor at Lincoln University:
"Nubia pottery has been unearthed and dated at 8,000 B.C.E., which provides evidence that sedentary life in Nubia predates the Badarian, when Egyptian civilization began to coalesce..."
Egypt was not.
Here's a direct quote from a paper in progress by Dr. Larry Ross, professor at Lincoln University:
"Nubia pottery has been unearthed and dated at 8,000 B.C.E., which provides evidence that sedentary life in Nubia predates the Badarian, when Egyptian civilization began to coalesce..."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Racism in Antiquity
The last blog talked about racism beginning in 1820--or there about. Today I went to Lincoln University to discuss Nubia with Dr. Larry Ross, an anthropology and sociology professor.
He said that racism began a couple of centuries earlier--with the Spanish.
There was no racism in antiquity. The Greeks not only respected the Nubian and Egyptian people, but they held them to a higher standard. Ethiopia means "people with burnt faces," and when you read the Greek historians of that time, they regard these African people to the highest regard.
Nowhere do these two nations--Nubia and Egypt--discuss each other by their skin color--the word negro came centuries later.
There are some notations about not allowing dark skinned people into Egypt--but this was translated wrong.
According to Dr. Ross, racism begins in the early 1600's.
But this blog is not on racism--this blog is on Nubia and now I have a lot of new material, new books, even a manuscript.
He said that racism began a couple of centuries earlier--with the Spanish.
There was no racism in antiquity. The Greeks not only respected the Nubian and Egyptian people, but they held them to a higher standard. Ethiopia means "people with burnt faces," and when you read the Greek historians of that time, they regard these African people to the highest regard.
Nowhere do these two nations--Nubia and Egypt--discuss each other by their skin color--the word negro came centuries later.
There are some notations about not allowing dark skinned people into Egypt--but this was translated wrong.
According to Dr. Ross, racism begins in the early 1600's.
But this blog is not on racism--this blog is on Nubia and now I have a lot of new material, new books, even a manuscript.
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