Kerma Culture - Kerma's Place in Ancient History

Kerma's Place in Ancient History

During the First Intermediate Period, the Egyptian presence in Lower Nubia ceased. 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.

The long history of Egyptian military activity in Lower Nubia indicates that Kerma was perceived as a major threat to Pharaonic Egypt. The largest and most numerous fortifications Egypt built were to secure its border against raids from Kerma and to protect the trade routes between the two powers. Both during the Middle and New Kingdoms, the resources Kerma had access to - gold, cattle, milk products, ebony, incense, ivory, etc. - were much coveted by Egypt.

During its zenith, Kerma formed a partnership with the Hyksos and tried to crush Egypt. Finds in 2003 at the Governor of El Kab's Tomb (near Thebes)show that Kerma invaded deep into Egypt between 1575 and 1550 bc. It is believed that this was one of Egypt's most humiliating defeat, which later pharaohs erased from the official historic records. Many royal statues and monuments were looted from Egypt and removed to Kerma, apparently as a gesture of triumph by Kerma's ruler.

Some Biblical scholars contend that Kerma provides archaeological 'proof' for the prophet Moses residing in Kush after fleeing Egypt, as described in the apochrypal Books of Jasher.

Under Tuthmosis I, Egypt made several campaigns south. This eventually resulted in their annexation of Nubia (Kerma/ Kush) c.1504 bc. After the conquest, Kerma culture was increasingly 'Egyptianized' yet rebellions continued for 220 years (till c.1300 BCE). During the New Kingdom, Kerma/ Kush nevertheless became a key province of the Egyptian Empire - economically, politically and spiritually. Indeed, major Pharonic ceremonies were held at Jebel Barkal near Napata, and the royal lineages of the two regions seem to have intermarried.

The extent of cultural/ political continuity between Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush is difficult to determine. The latter began to emerge around 1000 BCE. Initially, the Kushite kings continued to use Kerma for royal burials and special ceremonies, suggesting some connection. Moreover, the layout of royal funerary compounds in both Kerma and Napata (the Kush capital) are similarly designed. Caches of statues of Kush's pharaohs have also been discovered at Kerma, suggesting that the Napatan rulers recognized a historic link between their capital and Kerma.