Ancient Nile Valley:
Kingdoms of Kerma and Punt

Kingdom of Kerma (Ca. 2600 - 1550 B.C.)

	1. Map of pre-imperial Nubia showing important archaeological sites.
	2. The Batn el-Hagar, a sparsely populated barren rocky stretch between the Second and Third Cataract, marks the division between Upper and Lower Nubia.
	3. Ruins of the Western Deffufa (deffula is a local term for any large brick building), which was a temple within the walls of the city of Kerma, the capital of the Kingdom of Kerma. The building may have been modeled on the Kemet temples, with ceremonies taking place on the roof. The capital emerged in about 2400 B.C. from an earlier settlement and lasted until incorporation into the Empire of Kemet. The city of Kerma also contained workshops and a number of religious buildings in a religious quarter and a large circular building that may have been a royal audience hall. These two constructions were the foci of roads and residences of the city, all located within dry ditches and massive mud brick walls. The Kingdom of Kerma was located in the Dongala Stretch, between the third and fourth cataract, which enjoyed a basis for agricuture and pastoralism, but its primary income derived from being a commercial intermediary between Kemet and the luxury trade of the Sudan in the South. In the The Kings of Kemet called this the land of Yam or the realm of Kush. During Kemet's Second Intermediate Period, Kerma seized the opportunity to expand north to the first cataract, but then it was in turn absorbed into Kemet's Empire.
	4. Burial from the Early Phase of Kerma (ca. 2500 - 2050 B.C.). The typical grave was an earthern tumulus with a burial pit beneath. The body was dressed in leather, sandals, and jewelry, and laid on ox-hide bed. Grave goods included inverted bowls (for a funeral meal?), remains of sacrifices (including many human sacrifices in the case of the kings), and weapons (which indicates that Kerma's survival in the face of Kemet depended on a powerful military). This grave is that of a young archer who holds his bow and bowstring in his right hand. Around his head was a fillet to hold a tall feather, which was typical of Nubian dress.
	5. Bronze dagger from Kerma. Classic phase (ca. 1750 to 1600 B.C.) (London: British Museum). Technologically at same level as Kemet, but the shape is distinctive of the civilization of Kerma. The high quality of this bronze is due in part to the use of an advanced type of kiln that reached very high temperatures.
	6. Bronze razor blades from Kerma, Classic phase (c. 1750 - 1600 B.C.) (London: British Museum). The foundry was located close to the deffufa, which suggests that manufactures were controlled by the temple. Raw bronze was apparently imported.
	7. Tulip beaker, Classic Phase of the Kingdom of Kerma, Upper Nubia. Kerma craftsmen, probably working under the direction of the temple, produced large quantities of high quality ceramics, much of which ended up as grave goods.

Kingdom of Punt (ca. 25th to 12th c. B.C.)

1. Relief from Dayr al Bahri temple showing Queen Eti of Punt with her husband Perehu as they welcome the delegation by sea of Queen Hatshepsut. 15th c. B.C. Punt was a Pygmy kingdom or chieftainship on the Somalian or Eritrean Coast, of uncertain location. Kemet had friendly relations with it by sea, and traded with Punt for myrrh and other exotics. Initial maritime contact was in the Fifth Dynasty, and then renewed at the time of Hatshupset, lasting to the 12th century B.C.