Life and death in ancient Nubia: impressive findings by archaeologists

Scientists have shed light on the history of the Christian kingdom in Lower Nubia (Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt) that existed in the Middle Ages. Finally, new evidence has been discovered regarding one of the last attested Christian states in this region.

In particular, archaeologists have uncovered a whole set of historical records with interesting information. Scientists have come across documents known as "cards" that were created during excavations in Lower Nubia in the early 20th century, according to the Newsweek article.

"The oldest cemeteries unearthed in this study belong to the 'Group A' Nubian population, which originated around 3800 BC, although there is evidence of human occupation of the region earlier," says Jenny Metcalfe, a biomedical Egyptologist at the University of Manchester, about the impressive find.

The researcher emphasized that the oldest cemeteries discovered by archaeologists during the excavations date back to the period of the Nubian population of "Group A." For understanding, these settlements date back to about 3800 BC and end with cemeteries of the Christian period dating back to about 500-1100 AD.

The scientists noted that a layer of information was opened up to them, providing new insights into the lives of ordinary people who inhabited the region along the Nile River in ancient Nubia. Among other things, scientists were able to obtain useful information about diseases, injuries, and anatomical features of people living in this area.

Incredibly, the discovered artifacts indicate that the ancient Nubians took care of the sick and disabled. "Thousands of years before the advent of modern medicine, we have evidence of people who survived a very serious illness or injury," the researchers say.

What is known about the "cards" of Lower Nubia

The sensational artifacts were discovered between 1907 and 1911. The researchers managed to thoroughly check more than 150 Nubian cemeteries. There was no limit to their surprise, as they discovered about 20 thousand graves.

This, in turn, gave rise to new historical discoveries. Archaeologists discovered more than 7,000 additional bodies and numerous artifacts. The found artifacts were useful to archaeologists, as they were able to learn unique information about the ancient communities that lived in this region.