Nubians in new kingdom Egypt (1550-1069 BCE) : a study of cultural dominance and interplay through Egyptian iconographic evidence

Abstract

Nubians were often represented by the Egyptians in highly stereotypical and degrading poses, yet they were also portrayed partaking in different activities, and in some cases, they even represented themselves. Scholars have traditionally focused on the negative depictions of Nubians, and they interpreted these superficially as clear evidence of Nubia’s failure in the shadow of Egypt, which imposed its culture onto the Nubians. Contrarily, this research aims to demonstrate how the relations between Egypt and Nubia were far more complex. The goal here is to understand the Nubians through diverse Egyptian iconographical items, including those that have seldom been discussed. This includes state and elite depictions, as well as items made by individual Nubians who served the Egyptian state, since studies on Nubians in iconography have often only discussed either state or elite art and have not considered several lesser-known items. Therefore, this study demonstrates how visual representations show that the cross-cultural influences between Egypt and Nubia were often a natural consequence of the connection and long history shared by these societies. Yet, whilst this research intended to include different types of items, it was important to consider that the Nubian people themselves were from different regions and ultimately experienced Egyptian colonisation in contrasting ways, which may be reflected in the iconographic record. Through the examination of the features that were applied by the artists to Nubian figures for them to be recognisably foreign, an identity classification scheme is used to analyse the differences and commonalities found in the depictions. Through this scheme, the features applied to the Nubian figure are noted to determine whether an item is Possibly or Probably representing a Nubian, and to also understand why in some cases Nubians are depicted with these features, while in others they are not. Moreover, a number of depictions are accompanied by inscriptions that confirm the figures as Nubian and these are classified as Definitely Nubian. The rest of the depictions are then compared to these Definitely Nubian items in terms of the specific Nubian features that are included in the depictions. I argue that the Egyptians may have only portrayed Nubians negatively and in a stereotypical manner when they were portraying those from Upper Nubia or the independent southern states that, at times, threatened the stability of Egypt through revolt. Additionally, the research illustrates how the Egyptians may have represented Nubians in stereotypical ways when referring to Nubians only in specific roles. I contend that it is possible that the identifiers reused by the Egyptians throughout history to ensure Nubians were recognisable were, in fact, closer to how Upper Nubians may have actually appeared or may have been perceived, since the evidence of Lower Nubians shows a very different scenario. The representations of Lower Nubians indicate that societies in this region were not so different to the Egyptians. The ultimate goal of the Egyptians was generally to represent Nubians for specific ideological purposes, hence they did not represent different Nubians in contrasting ways, except in rare cases, since this would not serve their agenda. Therefore, they continued to use the same features for all Nubians regardless of the differences between Nubians in different regions. This study provides a fresh insight into how these features may have been based on the Nubian attributes found in those regions that were mostly foreign to the Egyptians, those of Upper Nubia and further south. Whilst at face value Egypt continued to portray all Nubians as foreigners, in reality, a great number of Nubian individuals and even societies had become almost indiscernible from those of Egypt. Furthermore, Egypt may have considered its ways and institutions to be unparalleled, yet it did not exclude Nubians from progressing, as long as they did not pose a threat to the stability of Egypt. Iconography shows how the idealistic Nubian figures used in decorative and propagandist pieces, were not a reliable reflection of reality for the most part. In conclusion, there is no doubt that Lower and Upper Nubia experienced and considered Egyptian colonisation in a contrasting way, thus it is incorrect to discuss them on an equal footing and this research is distinct as it uncommonly considers these differences. Thus, by comparing Nubian figures in diverse items, whilst bearing in mind that these figures may have been representing different Nubians and stereotypically targeting particular Nubians; this study provides a unique insight into the Egyptian persepctive. At the same time, the Nubian-made items included in this study provide a glimmer into the Nubian viewpoint. The methodology applied here has not been carried out previously in the manner in which it is here. Nevertheless, the iconographical record from this period in Upper Nubia is almost non-existent, yet if this had to change, the finds may be able to shed further light on the conclusions drawn here. Future studies may be in a position to include items from Upper Nubia which will enhance the catalogue content, ultimately to better understand these ancient peoples.