In chapter 9 of “An Introduction to the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt”, we are given a more indepth look into how much Egypt’s hold on Nubia had changed their culture in almost every aspect. During the Third Intermediate Period, Egypt was re-unified by a Kushite kings of Kashta and Piy, who conquered Memphis before returning to Nubia and leaving his successor Shabaqo to rule. The Kushite dynasty was short, and ended with attacks from Assyria. Yet this chapter also gives us much insight into just how Egyptianized the Kingdom of Kush was. There is evidence in mortuary practice. For example, the royal necropoli of the Kush contained the Kushite pyramids. At the site of Sanam, there are many tombs and burials done in Egyptian style, with Egyptian style funerary goods and mummies. The 25th Dynasty kings were buried within Nubia, at the site of el-Kurru, many of which were Kushite Pyramids. Indigineous Nubian tomb styles, such as the tummuli, were even Egyptianized themselves. The treatment of the body, having it mummified and placed in nested coffins and embalmed organs placed in canoic jars, was also adapted by the Nubians. Egyptianization is also seen in their religion. For the most part, Egyptian religion was also the primary religion of Kush. The center of power at Napata contained the cult of Amen. Temples in the city were designed in Egyptian style, and were inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs. All of this shows just how much their culture was affected by Egypt, and given the amount of time they were controlled by Egypt it isn’t surprising. Often times when people speak of Egypt, they do not mention Kush in any shape. It is interesting to see just how much it was like Egypt in these ways when it isn’t often talked about. It is also important to note that while the kingdom was heavily Egyptianized, it still contained much of its own culture. For example in this chapter dicusses how the Kushite pyramida are much steeper and smaller than classic Egyptian pyramids. While this could be due to merely economic reasons, it is possible to relate to their own unique take on the culture. Another item discussed in the chapter is the horse burials that occured in the royal site at el-Kurru. There were twenty four horse burials at the site, all for the four 25th Dynasty kings interred there. This is something completely unique to the Kushite burials. With this, it can be seen that even with such a strong cultural influence, that the original aspects of Nubian culture can still shine through the heavily Egyptianized mask.
2 thoughts on “Egyptian Influence in Nubia”
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I think you had a lot of interesting comments in your post about the influence Egypt had on Nubia. I think it is also interesting that during the third intermediate period, the Kushites conquered and ruled Egypt for a brief period of time. I mention this because when you talked about how they became very Egyptianized, it is also important to note that they brought back many of the old Egyptian beliefs when they ruled Egypt which I found to be quite entertaining because it was almost like at the time, the Kushites were more Egyptian than the Egyptians were and the old beliefs were archived within the Nubian culture and brought back once the Kushites took over. It makes me wonder what would have happened if the Kushites had not conquered Egypt and restored some of the old ways.
With that being said, I also like your statements on how they maintained their own cultural traditions like the horse burial and manipulated some Egyptian traditions like their own take on building pyramids. Like you said, I also think it would be interesting to know why they made the pyramids different, if it was simply economic reasons or if they didn’t want to be “copycats” so they stylized them slightly different (maybe a combination of both). I also think it would be interesting to know why the kept the horse burial part of their own culture and why did they think this was an important enough part of their culture to not allow it to be forgotten with the Egyptian culture changing their own.
I also found this chapter interesting as well because it relates to my paper topic on Nubian identity. I think your comment about them keeping their own customs is important. Egyptian influence over Nubia is particularly interesting to me when looking at the different ways this cultural transfusion took place. Of course, at one point they were conquered by Egypt and so certain customs and influences will be forced upon them, but they also had TONS of passive interactions (like trade) that heavily influenced their culture. This makes me curious about the individual citizen’s response to this influence. Was it a welcome influence? I think the way we look at cultural influences is interesting as well. Of course we can see that they have distinct architecture and styles, however how much of this cultural influence is natural? The Kingdom of Kush was very close to Egypt and interacted with them for a long time. I’m curious if some of this “Egyptianization” we talk about can be due to a natural sharing and diffusion of cultures rather than a forced overshadowing. I’m glad that the narrative around Egypt has started to include Nubia because it can lead us to different discussions about culture and influence. I agree with the above comment as well and am interested in how particular parts of a culture survive during assimilation. I’m sure it has to do with how easy it would be to keep certain traditions while still under a guise of “fitting in” to a new culture.