African Canadian Studies Early African Civilizations: Kush The Ancient Civilization of Kush:
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The next kingdom to rise to power in Africa was Kush in the area of Nubia, south of Egypt.
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The Nubians lived in a land that followed the twists and turns of the Nile River stretching from Egypt to modern day Sudan. A series of cataracts made it difficult to travel into Nubia by water. Deserts also blocked access.
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At first Nubians hunted and gathered. Then around the 3000’s B.C. they began to farm.
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Nubia did not have the fertile farmland of Egypt, but it did have excellent grazing lands that allowed a good cattle industry.
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The Kushites also had a thriving trade network that stretched into the African interior and to the Red Sea. They traded with Egyptians, as well as people from as far away as the Greek Island of Crete. Trade items included ivory, gold, leopard skins, ebony, wood, ostrich features, and manufactured goods.
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Still, because of Egypt’s location it had more contact with the civilizations of Europe and Asia. Knowledge of Nubia came mainly from the Egyptians.
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It is believed the Nubians are responsible for giving the Egyptians the idea of kingship.
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While the Egyptians struggled under Hyksos rule, Kush entered a time of glory. Rulers built royal tombs shaped like pyramids filled with wealth. Kings were laid to rest on gold covered beds with the finest objects of Gold, bronze, and ivory placed beside them.
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After Hyksos rule, Egypt controlled Kush until the 700’s B.C. Around that time a Kushite king named Kashta vowed to conquer Egypt. Around 760 B.C., Kush turned the ancient civilization upside down by capturing the Egyptian throne.
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For almost 100 years, Kushite pharaohs ruled under the 25 th dynasty. Kushite rule extended to almost a quarter of the continent. Their rule brought together cultures of Egypt and Nubia. The blend sparked an outpouring of that matched the New Kingdom at its peak.
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One difference between the two cultural groups was the system of writing. While Egyptians used hieroglyphics, Kushites used meroitic script, an alphabet scribe that is still being deciphered by scholars.
SCO: Student will be expected to examine the political, economic and social systems of ancient African kingdoms ·
In the 600’s B.C. the Kushites and the Egyptians were attacked and defeated by the Assyrians who fought with iron swords.
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The Kushites retreated to their capital at Meroe. Here they quickly followed the Assyrian example and began to smelt iron. Meroe was well situated for iron production because of its location near rich iron ore and hardwood lumber. They used iron for weapons and tools. Meroe became the first African center for iron manufacturing.
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With iron spears to protect trade routes an conquer neighbouring peoples, the Kushites built another powerful kingdom.
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The Kushite Empire at Meroe flourished for more than 800 years. It finally fell more than 300 years after Egypt. The main reason was a decline in its environment. The surrounding area was devastated by deforestation and the fires needed for iron smelting and pottery.
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Kush was succeeded by Axum, an empire interested in taking over Kush’s trade routes.
SCO: Student will be expected to examine the political, economic and social systems of ancient African kingdoms