The Treasures from Sudan exhibition in Abu Dhabi in every way bears testimony to the fact that the synonymity of that country with war does not overtake its extremely rich and varied cultural history.
The display, comprising 300 artefacts dating from the 9th millennium BC to the 19th century AD, is a robust, chronological reconstruction of Sudan’s history — from the Palaeolithic period through that of the Nubian pharaohs to the Islamic period. Many of these artefacts are among archaeological discoveries.
“The exhibits are the wealth of Sudan,” says Elgazafi Yousuf, curator from the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum. “They are drawn from a collection at our museum and provide a description of virtually all the diverse historical records of Sudan, which is one of the largest countries of Africa.”
The display is divided into different, equally incredible segments, to empathise with this diversity. The first segment is the Historical Series of the Civilisation of Sudan.
It relates to the Palaeolithic period, the second part of the Stone Age that ran from 750,000 to 500,000 BC and lasted till the end of the last Ice Age about 8,500 BC.
Precious enamelled jewellery, pigmented vessels and ceramic ware, and personal decorative items offer a glimpse of the lifestyle, cultural achievements and features of the peoples of that period.
“Well-preserved Palaeolithic sites are rare because erosion has often worn away the ancient ground surfaces, leaving only stone tools [lithic], that are usually a mixture of large hand axes and choppers,” Elgazafi says.
“The [earliest material] discovered and studied are composite tools, consisting of small flints set into wooden or bone handles, and red and yellow iron oxides that were ground into pigments and, perhaps, used in rituals. Towards the end of Palaeolithic [period], pottery appears .”
Relics of eternity
Most fascinating among the exhibits are the lip plugs of the Mesolithic (about 9000-5500/500 BC) or early Neolithic period (5000-3000 BC). These dumbbell-shaped items of jewellery, made of ivory, carnelian, amazonite or mesolite, come from the burials of women. These ornaments are still worn in East Africa and modern variants are popular in many countries.
The other significant segments at the exhibition comprise religious and decorative goods of the Kerma culture, the Nubia kingdom of Kush and the Pharaonic kingdom, including manuscripts in hieroglyphics.
“Especially in Nubia — the ethnic and cultural area in Africa that is part of the Nile valley and lies partly in southern Egypt and partly in northern Sudan — the civilisation was ruled by a series of powerful kings and emperors even before Sudan’s association with Egypt began,” Elgazafi explains.
“To mark and heighten their power as eternal, the rulers, such as those of Kerma, adopted an extraordinary ritual of taking all their retainers, possessions and many of their kindred with them to the hereafter.
"Even before that, these kings had elaborate funeral ceremonies. Some of the kings had themselves buried alongside the remains of thousands of cattle, with the skulls of these animals arranged in a huge, horn-shaped crescent in front of the tomb. In one case, [remains of] about 400 sacrificed individuals were found.”
“The ancient treasures are mainly brought from these richly decorated underground graves of the Nubian pyramids and tombs. Each piece has its own beauty. The red sandstone artefacts, amulets, bracelets, rings, gods and hieroglyphs carved in granite … all attest to the wealth of the powerful kingdoms of Sudan,” he adds.
One classic Kerma necklace comes from such a tomb. Made up of 12 lozenge-shaped gold beads and 50 round carnelian beads, it was found in a pilfered tomb.
Two stylised figurines — among the earliest sculptures of the human form found in the Nile valley — were also discovered from tombs. These figures have simple, proportioned outlines accentuated by the coloured veins on the finely polished sandstone.
The roll of stomach fat on one figure is emphasised by such a vein. No sexual features are shown and only hints of other anatomical details, such as the eyes, are given.
Other Neolithic figurines from the Near East and the Nile valley, such as the terracotta figure at El Kadada — showing breasts and well-rounded hips — have been described as female fertility symbols.
Also drawing interest is the large copper alloy statue of an unidentified Kushite king. Discovered in Sudan, it has a narrow waist, broad shoulders and is striding forward purposefully.
The kilt, sandals, armlets and a necklace with three ram-headed amulets, a cap of tight curls with steamers down the back, and a circlet with two cobras (uraei) on the front, signify the kingship.
An archer’s thumb ring visible on the right hand of the statue suggests that it portrays the king as an archer, perhaps symbolising his military leadership.
The copper alloy mirror, ivory combs, tulip-shaped Kerma beakers, ostrich-shaped vessels, bivalve shell hair slides, rock crystal gold pendant, ivory signet ring and the scorpion-shaped faience plaque found in Kushite royal tombs, too, are worth mentioning.
More important, however, are the stelas of Amenemhat, Amenhotep II and III, Seti I, Queen Amanishakheto and goddess Amesemi, the statue of god Amun, goddess Beset, Natakamani and Kushite kings.
