Kerma

Quick Facts: Who was Kerma?

Subject:

Kerma

Known for:

Ancient Nubian capital city, a major center of culture and power in Sudan.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Kerma was the capital city of the Kingdom of Kerma, which had its roots in the pre-Kerma culture in present-day Sudan from 3500 BC. Kerma is one of the largest archaeological sites in ancient Nubia. It has produced decades of extensive excavations and research, including thousands of graves and tombs and the residential quarters of the main city surrounding the Western, or Lower, Deffufa. The locale that is now Kerma was first settled by hunter-gatherers around 8350 BC, during the Mesolithic. Between 5550 BC and 5150 BC, the site was mostly abandoned, possibly due to decreased Nile flow during this time interval.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

A second hiatus in occupation occurred between 4050 BC and 3450 BC, likely as a result of minimal flow from the White Nile. Around 3000 BC, agriculture developed and a cultural tradition began around Kerma. Kerma later developed into a large urban center that was built around a large adobe temple known as the Western Deffufa, which was built after 1750 BC. A state society formed between 2550 BC and 1550 BC, with a significant decrease in cattle breeding being evidenced by the archaeological record around 1750 BC. Evidence for copper metallurgy appears from c. 2200–2000 BC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As a capital city and location of royal burials, Kerma sheds light on the complex social structure present in this society. Pre-Kerma (c. 3500–2500 BC) No C-Group culture Phase Early Kerma (c. 2500–2050 BC) C-Group Phase Ia–Ib Middle Kerma (c. 2050–1750 BC) C-Group Phase Ib–IIa Classic Kerma (c. 1750–1580 BC) C-Group Phase IIb–III Final Kerma (c. 1580–1500 BC) C-Group Phase IIb–III Late Kerma – "New Kingdom" (c. 1500–1100? BC) "New Kingdom" By 1700 BC, Kerma was host to a population of at least 10,000 people. Different to those of ancient Egypt in theme and composition, Kerma's artefacts are characterized by extensive amounts of blue faience, which the Kermans developed techniques to work with independently of Egypt, and by their work with glazed quartzite and architectural inlays. Kerma contains a cemetery with over 30,000 graves.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1550: 1550 Milestone — A state society formed between 2550 BC and 1550 BC, with a significant decrease in cattle breeding being evidenced by the archaeological record around 1750 BC.
2. 1580: 1580 Milestone — 1580–1500 BC) C-Group Phase IIb–III Late Kerma – "New Kingdom" (c.
3. 1700: 1700 Milestone — BC) "New Kingdom" By 1700 BC, Kerma was host to a population of at least 10,000 people.
4. 1750: 1750 Milestone — Kerma later developed into a large urban center that was built around a large adobe temple known as the Western Deffufa, which was built after 1750 BC.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kerma

True or False: “The initial settlement of the Kerma locale occurred during the Neolithic period, predating all known cultural activity.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The site was first settled by hunter-gatherers around 8350 BC, which falls within the Mesolithic period, not the Neolithic.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Ali Pasha of Yanina — Historical peer (Born in 1750) (1750): Powerful Albanian ruler who achieved high autonomy in the Ottoman Empire.
• Antonio Salieri — Historical peer (Born in 1750) (1750): Pivotal Italian composer and teacher of the late 18th-century classical opera.
• Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia — Historical peer (Born in 1550) (1550): Spanish aristocrat and patron, famed for his role in the 1588 Spanish Armada.
• Aochi Shigetsuna — Historical peer (Born in 1550) (1550): Samurai retainer serving the Oda clan during the late Sengoku period of Japan.
• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Andrea Palladio — Historical peer (Died in 1580) (1580): Master Renaissance architect whose villas defined the Palladian style.
• Bessho Nagaharu — Historical peer (Died in 1580) (1580): A Sengoku period daimyō who initially allied with the Oda before revolting against Hideyoshi.
• Abd al-Samad — Historical peer (Born in 1500) (1500): Founding master of Mughal miniature painting, active in the 16th century.
• Atahualpa — Historical peer (Born in 1500) (1500): The last effective Inca Emperor, whose reign marked the end of the great Andean civilization.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kerma