Material Culture: The Nubian Civilization

The Nubian civilization, modern day Sudan, is arguably the most ancient civilization in Africa, with initial settlements in the territory dated as far back as 8200 BC. The innovations and technological improvements pioneered by the Nubian culture, over time, would spread throughout the continent (most notably into Egypt). Among these advances were the establishment of efficient food production, dogma that would lay the foundations for Egyptian concepts of the afterlife and the birth of material culture. Though their Egyptian neighbors shared some cultural similarities, they often clashed, vying for control of the Nile Valley. Eventually the Nubian civilization prevailed over Egypt, prospering while its adversary languished under the power and …show more content…
Due to the limited writings found, it is the way artifacts were manufactured, used, and eventually buried, that tells a story and gives background on Nubians and how they lived their lives. Their unique connection to materials shaped social life and human experience for Ancient Nubians. The way they fetishized material objects is captivating and is one of the reasons many find their story through material objects to be fascinating. This spiritual relationship to objects is called material culture. Further, Material Culture is the idea that objects are essential to how we experience our relationships to other people. One such spiritually charged object is a funerary mask like the one seen to the left at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Though this funerary mask has an unknown origin, it is believed that it was forged around 300 BCE or possibly earlier. Funerary masks covered the head and face of the dead and represented the departed in a generalized manner. For this particular mask, the deceased would be depicted as wearing a wig and a beaded collar. The gold-plated face implies that the dead now has skin of gold like the gods and will soon reunite the gods in the afterlife. (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) …show more content…
The designs of the amulets were inspired by many Egyptian myths and traditions. To the left is the most identifiable scarab amulet. “This distinctive amulet is a reproduction of a scarab beetle that is associated with the solar cycle and is an emblem for the reawakening of the sun god.” This amulet is a symbol for renewing cosmic powers and reminds us of the spiritual beings Nubians were. Numerous ornament materials were also discovered, such as kohl pots, and jewelry made of finance beads, ostrich shells, copper, and ivory. (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology)