Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa [Paperback]

David O'Connor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1993

This book discusses the evolution of Nubian culture and history through the Bronze Age and the Napatan-Meroitic Period. It was written to coincide with an exhibition at the University Museum at Pennsylvania, and the unrivalled Nubian collection of that museum and of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, provides some striking illustrations. Maps, chronological tables and a clearly-written text make this an excellent introduction to Nubian civilisation, while well-illustrated discussions of Nubian art and architecture will make this catalogue a valuable source for Egyptian scholars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A rich and vital culture flourished in ancient Nubia from the time of the late prehistoric period (4th Millennium B. C. ) rivaling for a time the great civilization of ancient Egypt, its northern neighbor. Less is known of ancient Nubia due to a lesser amount of systematic excavation. A major traveling exhibition, Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival In Africa, is organized from the collections of The University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology places this complex society in its proper cultural and historical perspective. The curator, Dr. David O'Connor has produced this marvelous book on that exhibit. Ancient Nubia synthesizes the current knowledge and theories, sharing his own ideas about this little known, fascinating culture. Ancient Nubia also contains numerous illustrations -- reconstructive drawings of Nubian buildings and cemeteries, maps, representations of Nubians in art; a compendium providing a complete photographic and documentary record of all objects in the exhibition, and 35 full color plates highlighting a selection of artifacts of different types. While some Nubian objects are reminiscent of ones used by their Egyptian contemporaries, a closer look at the detailing speaks of a different culture -- the graceful giraffes and other animals painted on their vases, etc. Ancient Nubia is the perfect introduction to the peoples and culture of an ancient land which had its own identity and a diversity of tradition. Ancient Nubia is a work of impressive scholarship and a valuable addition to any academic, personal, or community library antiquities or history collection. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Kelsey Museum of Archaeology; First edition (December 31, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0924171286
• ISBN-13: 978-0924171284
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to Nubia, August 17, 2000

By 

Francesca Jourdan (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa (Paperback)

This book, divided in two sections, was compiled during the course of the 1993 exhibition of the same name. It collectively portrays the fruits of knowledge of it. In the first part, the author introduces this fascinating civilization, by explaining its politics, religious beliefs, society, culture and history from the Bronze Age to the Napatan Meroitic Period. The second part contains more than 300 black and white pictures presented at the exhibition. This is a valuable work for those needing to learn more about Nubia.

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Research, January 8, 2012

By 

Stephanie Jefferson "Stephanie, pqw" (Corona, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Nubia: Egypt's Rival in Africa (Paperback)

This work is dense with archeological information. It presents a linear perspective on a great and noble people that history has all but forgotten. The author presents his views on Nubian culture, politics, and religious practices that, if correct, are helpful in piecing together a picture of this ancient kingdom. I found it extremely helpful in gathering information to help write a work of fiction that takes place in Nubia,Princess Kandake: Warrior By Choice....Appointed to Rule