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.