BurialsPrehistoric BurialsHeavy excavations in the south most regions of Lower Nubia, at Wadi Halfa,1 in Sudan lead to the discovery of the oldest human evidence yet found in the Nile Valley, which was dated to the Paleolithic Age (Qadan- 13000-8000 BC). Other Paleolithic sites were located likewise in the southern portions of Lower Nubia including Toshka, and Gebel Sahaba.2 At Toshka domesticated wild cattle were put on top of many of the burials, indicating the practice of a certain ritual. The burial pits were mostly circular, which perhaps lead to the building of the mound structure. However in most of the sites the deceased had no specific body orientation although contracted positioning was common. No other significant finds were recovered from the site so far.
In spite of the intensive archeology of Lower Nubia, no Neolithic graves were uncovered in Lower Nubia. The only Neolithic discoveries have only been found in southern Nubia in Khartoum, Kadruka, Shabona, el Ghaba , Kadero, and Wadi Halfa.3 However the most important excavations were conducted at Khartoum revealing a culture that dates back to about 6908 years ago.4 The discoveries point to the existence of a small settled village or a community at Khartoum. The bodies were contracted and laid on their backs, thus symbolizing birth. This was the first indication for the beginning of the religious concept that later became embodied in the cult of Re, the sun god. The bodies were, for the most part, naked. Many burials contained pottery showing the first signs for mortuary offering; a burial tradition that continued throughout the ancient history of Nubia. Not much burial goods were found except for some water mollusk shells from Khartoum, some ostrich feathers (for head decoration) and other few toilet ornaments. At Kadero and el Ghaba, large cemeteries have been discovered outside of their settlements. Dating to the Neolithic period, at el Ghaba, considerable amount of circular or sub-circular pits (diameters varying from 120cm to 160 cm.) were found. There, bodies were adorned with personal commodities like bracelets and necklaces and lip-plugs, stone and bone tools, pottery, ostrich feathers, and water mollusc shells. Clothes made of natural local materials, headrests and footrests, and traces of facial painting (i.e., perhaps an indication of tribal identity).
From these graves we start to see the first culture of Nubia taking shape. The habit for burying in circular pits continues throughout Nubia's ancient history starting from that of Kerma, disappearing in the Napatan and Merioitic period, and appearing again in the Christian era. The existence for mollusc shells, probable obtained from the Red Sea are some of the world's earliest evidence for human trade and exchange. Slight differences of burials at Kadero, indicate the formation of tribal differences in Nubia. For example, in Kadero the bodies are contracted but on their sides. Differences in material goods assert the accuracy of the assumption. Pillows and mats, fragments of malachite, and vases are among the grave findings. The graves of Kadero are the earliest of its kind to indicate the practice of animal sacrifice as pieces of animal bones (i.e., of dogs) were found. Human sacrifices were also discovered in El-Kadada. This tradition of animal sacrifice was also to continue throughout Nubian history as a distinguished tradition, i.e., in reference to other civilizations. Child burials in bucrania and large vessels were also common, indicating a special concern on the subject of maturity.
Edited: Dec. 2008. |
