Ancient Nubia
upper Nile rival to Egypt
Ancient Nubia3,800 BCE – 1,070 BCE
01
Land of the Bow
early Nile settlers, A-Group traders, and Egypt's first rival
3800–2800 BCE
02
After the Silence
the C-Group survival and Kerma's emergence after Egyptian withdrawal
2800–2400 BCE
03
Harkhuf's Donkeys
an Old Kingdom governor's expeditions and the ivory trade south
2500–2180 BCE
04
Forts Along the Cataracts
Middle Kingdom Egypt builds a chain of fortresses at the cataracts
1900–1700 BCE
05
Classic Kerma
Kerma becomes a city of 10,000 with its own monumental architecture
1750–1600 BCE
06
The Squeeze and the Fall
Egyptian invasion, Kerma's last stand, and total destruction
1650–1504 BCE
07
Province of Gold
Nubia under New Kingdom pharaohs — gold mines, temples, and viceroys
1500–1150 BCE
08
The Cultural Bridge
cultural blending, Egyptian decline, and the seeds of Kushite independence
1400–1070 BCE