Kingdom of Kerma
Encyclopedia
The Kerma culture is a prehistoric culture which flourished from around 2500 BCE to about 1520 BCE in what is now Sudan
, centered at Kerma
.
It emerged as a major centre during the Middle Kingdom
period of Ancient Egypt
.
In its latest phase, the Kingdom of Kerma forms, lasting from about 1700–1550 BCE, before being absorbed into the Egyptian Empire. By the 11th century BCE, the Kingdom of Kush
regains independence from Egypt.
The site of Kerma that forms the heart of the Kingdom of Kerma includes both an extensive town and a cemetery consisting of large tumuli. The level of affluence at the site demonstrated the power of the Kingdom of Kerma, especially during the Second Intermediate Period when the Nubians threatened the southern borders of Egypt.
When Kerma was first investigated, in the 1920s, George Reisner
believed that it was originally the base - a fort - of an Egyptian governor and that these Egyptian rulers evolved into the independent monarchs of Kerma. Reisner's interpretation was based on the presence of inscribed Egyptian statues in the large burials, which he thought belonged to those named individuals. Moreover, in this period, few archaeologists credited black Africans with producing civilizations.
In later decades, scholars moved to the view that Kerma was a trading outpost of the Egyptians, being too small and far away from the known borders of ancient Egypt
to be more directly linked to it.
However, in the past ten to fifteen years, excavations have revealed that Kerma City was much larger and more complex than previously assumed. It was also realized that the material culture and burial practices here are overwhelmingly local (Nubian) rather than Egyptian.
During the First Intermediate Period, the Egyptian presence in Lower Nubia
disappeared. When at the beginning of the New Kingdom
, Egyptian sources again mentioned the region of Kerma, they reported Kerma as in control of both Upper and Lower Nubia.
Under Tuthmosis I, Egypt made several campaigns south. This resulted in their annexation of Nubia and bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kerma.
After conquest by Egypt (1520 BCE), Kerma culture was increasingly 'Egyptianized' though rebellions continued for 200 years (c.1300 BCE). Throughout the history of the New Kingdom, Kerma was an important part of the Egyptian Empire. It is uncertain if there how much cultural continuity existed between Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush
that began to emerge around 1000 BCE. However, the Kushite kings continued to use Kerma for royal burials and special ceremonies, suggesting some connection between their family and the Kerma rulers. Moreover, the layout of royal funerary compounds in both Kerma and Napata (the Kush capital) are designed rather similarly.
discovered a cache of monumental black granite statues of the Pharaohs of the Nubian dynasty including Taharqa
and Tanoutamon
, the last two pharaohs of the 'Nubian' Dynasty, whose statues are described as "masterpieces that rank among the greatest in art history."
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, centered at Kerma
Kerma
Kerma was the capital city of the Kingdom of Kerma, which was located in present day Egypt and Sudan. The Kerma site has been confirmed by archaeology to be at least 9,500 years old. Around 3000 BC, a cultural tradition began around Kerma...
.
It emerged as a major centre during the Middle Kingdom
Middle Kingdom of Egypt
The Middle Kingdom of Egypt is the period in the history of ancient Egypt stretching from the establishment of the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Fourteenth Dynasty, between 2055 BC and 1650 BC, although some writers include the Thirteenth and Fourteenth dynasties in the Second Intermediate...
period of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
.
In its latest phase, the Kingdom of Kerma forms, lasting from about 1700–1550 BCE, before being absorbed into the Egyptian Empire. By the 11th century BCE, the Kingdom of Kush
Kingdom of Kush
The native name of the Kingdom was likely kaš, recorded in Egyptian as .The name Kash is probably connected to Cush in the Hebrew Bible , son of Ham ....
regains independence from Egypt.
The site of Kerma that forms the heart of the Kingdom of Kerma includes both an extensive town and a cemetery consisting of large tumuli. The level of affluence at the site demonstrated the power of the Kingdom of Kerma, especially during the Second Intermediate Period when the Nubians threatened the southern borders of Egypt.
When Kerma was first investigated, in the 1920s, George Reisner
George Reisner
-References:* * "Reisner, George Andrew." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 11 Nov. 2005 .-External links:...
believed that it was originally the base - a fort - of an Egyptian governor and that these Egyptian rulers evolved into the independent monarchs of Kerma. Reisner's interpretation was based on the presence of inscribed Egyptian statues in the large burials, which he thought belonged to those named individuals. Moreover, in this period, few archaeologists credited black Africans with producing civilizations.
In later decades, scholars moved to the view that Kerma was a trading outpost of the Egyptians, being too small and far away from the known borders of ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
to be more directly linked to it.
However, in the past ten to fifteen years, excavations have revealed that Kerma City was much larger and more complex than previously assumed. It was also realized that the material culture and burial practices here are overwhelmingly local (Nubian) rather than Egyptian.
During the First Intermediate Period, the Egyptian presence in Lower Nubia
Lower Nubia
Lower Nubia is the northern portion of Nubia, downstream on the Nile from Upper Nubia. It lies between the First and Second Cataracts, roughly from Aswan in the north to Wadi Halfa in the south. A great deal of Lower Nubia was flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the creation...
disappeared. When at the beginning of the New Kingdom
New Kingdom
The New Kingdom of Egypt, also referred to as the Egyptian Empire is the period in ancient Egyptian history between the 16th century BC and the 11th century BC, covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Dynasties of Egypt....
, Egyptian sources again mentioned the region of Kerma, they reported Kerma as in control of both Upper and Lower Nubia.
Under Tuthmosis I, Egypt made several campaigns south. This resulted in their annexation of Nubia and bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kerma.
After conquest by Egypt (1520 BCE), Kerma culture was increasingly 'Egyptianized' though rebellions continued for 200 years (c.1300 BCE). Throughout the history of the New Kingdom, Kerma was an important part of the Egyptian Empire. It is uncertain if there how much cultural continuity existed between Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush
Kingdom of Kush
The native name of the Kingdom was likely kaš, recorded in Egyptian as .The name Kash is probably connected to Cush in the Hebrew Bible , son of Ham ....
that began to emerge around 1000 BCE. However, the Kushite kings continued to use Kerma for royal burials and special ceremonies, suggesting some connection between their family and the Kerma rulers. Moreover, the layout of royal funerary compounds in both Kerma and Napata (the Kush capital) are designed rather similarly.
Archaeology
In 2003 Archaeologist Charles Bonnet heading a team of Swiss archaeologists excavating near KermaKerma
Kerma was the capital city of the Kingdom of Kerma, which was located in present day Egypt and Sudan. The Kerma site has been confirmed by archaeology to be at least 9,500 years old. Around 3000 BC, a cultural tradition began around Kerma...
discovered a cache of monumental black granite statues of the Pharaohs of the Nubian dynasty including Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa was a pharaoh of the Ancient Egyptian 25th dynasty and king of the Kingdom of Kush, which was located in Northern Sudan.Taharqa was the son of Piye, the Nubian king of Napata who had first conquered Egypt. Taharqa was also the cousin and successor of Shebitku. The successful campaigns of...
and Tanoutamon
Tantamani
Tantamani or Tanwetamani or Tementhes was a Pharaoh of Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush located in Northern Sudan and a member of the Nubian or Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt...
, the last two pharaohs of the 'Nubian' Dynasty, whose statues are described as "masterpieces that rank among the greatest in art history."
Sources
- Bonnet, Charles, et al. The Nubian Pharaohs: Black Kings on the Nile, AUC Press (February 22, 2007) - ISBN 977416010X
- Bonnet, Charles, et al., 2005, Des Pharaohs venus d'Afrique : La cachette de Kerma. Citadelles & Mazenod.
- Bonnet, Charles, 1986, Kerma, Territoire et Métropole, Institut Français d’Archaéologie Orientale du Caire.
- Kendall, Timothy 1997. Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush. National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Inst. Washington D.C.
- Reisner, G. A. 1923, Excavations at Kerma I-III/IV-V. Harvard African Studies Volume V. Peabody Museum of Harvard University, Cambridge Mass.
External links
- Kerma website, swiss mission Official website of the Swiss archeological mission to Sudan.