All about the ancient tribes
Several new fortifications were built under Senusret III (about 1872-1853 BC) to secure a slightly more southerly border at Semna in the Second Cataract; the king headed several campaigns against Nubia. Egypt’s immediate interest in Nubia would have been its wealth in raw materials, such as gold and copper.
What did the Nubians do for Egypt?
G Egypt valued Nubia for its rich mineral resources such as gold, copper, and iron ore. central Africa and Egypt. and sixth Nile cataracts, rivaling Egypt for control of land.
When the Egyptians were strong, especially during the New Kingdom, Nubia was a great wealth source for the Egyptians. The Egyptians established forts and colonies that exploited Nubia’s rich mineral resources, which they then traded on the international market with other Near Eastern kingdoms.
The abundance of highly sorted resources in Nubian territories (especially gold, semi‐precious stones and ebony) always fascinated the ancient Egyptians. It was perhaps the urge to control trade in Nubia that made Egyptian Pharaohs annexed the southern territories.
Why was it in the interest of Egypt and Nubia to maintain friendly relations? Each civilization had many resources to offer for the other in trade. Egypt and Nubia were protected from some invaders by vast desert whereas the Babylonian and Assyrian empires lay in an open land which were easy to invade.
Bartering cattle, gold, carnelian, ivory, animal skins, hardwood, incense, and dates, Nubians traded with the Egyptians, their neighbors to the north, for grain, vegetable oils, wine, beer, linen, and other manufactured goods.
Nubia was first mentioned by ancient Egyptian trading accounts in 2300 BCE. Nubia was a gateway to the riches of Africa, and goods like gold, incense, ebony, copper, ivory, and animals flowed through it.
The land of Egypt is found within the regions of northern Africa. Nubia, on the other hand, is located along the Nile river which is a part of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Nubia is said to be the Land of Gold. Because of this, the Egyptians attempted to conquer the land of Nubia.
The Nile brought the ancient Egyptians and Nubians a constant source of water, allowing them to fish, farm, trade and build communities along its banks. The cataracts prevented Nubians from trading by traveling on the river, so Nubian trade routes had to be over land.
During the Egyptian Middle Kingdom (c. 2040-1640 BCE), Egypt began expanding into Nubian territory in order to control trade routes, and to build a series of forts along the Nile. Nubians appear to have been assimilated into Egyptian culture.
What kinds of trade goods passed through Nubia on their way to Egypt? Goods included ebony wood, ivory, ostrich feathers and eggs, panther skins and throw-sticks.
Pyramids were built for religious purposes. The Egyptians were one of the first civilizations to believe in an afterlife. They believed that a second self called the ka lived within every human being. When the physical body expired, the ka enjoyed eternal life.
Egypt had control over Nubia for nearly five-hundred years. The relationship between Egypt and Nubia changed drastically in the years from 750-730 BC when the Kingdom of Kush and the Nubian prince, Piankhy (also known as Piye) pushed northward to capture Egypt from Libyan control and establish their capital at Thebes.
Nubia wa located south of Egypt along the Nile River. Like the Egyptians, the Nubians relied on the Nile Rive for their water.
How did trade help both Egypt and Nubia maintain their dominance in the Nile Region? It gave them money and goods for them to give to their military so that they could defend themselves in battle.