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Ancient Nubia, Ta-Seti, The Land of the Bow
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Did you know Egypt referred to Nubia as "Ta-Seti" which means Land of the Bow
Origins
The Origin of the use of the bow in Nubia is very long, occurring in the Khartoum Neolithic period, about 3800 - 3400 BC. Archaeological finds that support this theory are arrowheads and rock art - mostly petroglyphs (rock carvings) - in which hunting scenes generally dominate, suggesting that archery in Nubia had its origins in hunting. Hunting provided subsistence for Nubians throughout much of their history and played an important role in trade as products like animal skins and ivory came from hunting.
The bows represented on the rocks take the form of simple self-bows which are constructed from a single piece of wood or from two pieces joined at the handle section, although this is less frequent, made from a single piece of wood.
As time went on the bows continued to evolve and Nubians had a number of different bows such as the;
- Longbow - The Nubian longbow is not a typical self-bow. The longbow limbs were bent into a light reflex shape which was unusual as the reflex shape is generally used to increase the tensile force of short bows.
- Composite Bows made of different materials - these appeared during the Meroitic or post-Meroitic period and was smaller than the longbow as the bow to be shot from horseback.
Nubian archers also used a number of accessories such as ;
- Archer's rings which are thumb rings. These protect the pad of the first thumb joint when the thumb, index and second fingers draw the bow
- Archer’s bracelet-gloves - their function was to prevent injury to which the archer was when the arrow was resting on the hand without the adequate support given by the riser (arrow rest)
It is clear a tradition was formed around the bow which played a very important role in local culture, placing the bow and archery skill to the forefront. The best evidence of this is the Egyptians referring to Nubia as "Ta-seti" — Land of the Bow using a bow as the hieroglyphic. This name shows the Egyptians recognized the Nubians proficiency with the bow explaining why Nubian archers were incorporated into the Egyptian army.
Further evidence is Egyptian New Kingdom (1550-712 BC) artwork depicts of Nubian troops with longer bows with a double-convex (longbows described above) profile of self-construction while Egyptian infantry is shown with shorter bows of an angular profile showing the specialist Nubian knowledge of archery, showing Nubians clearly had a more mature understanding of the weapon compared to the Egyptians.
Nubians continued to use the bow throughout their history as seen in the burials of northern Nubian rulers in the 5th century AD which show that they still relied on the bow and arrow. In the 8th century Christian Nubian archers fought back Muslim invaders
References
Origins and Comparative Performance of the Composite Bow by Karl Chandler Randall IV https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt/nubia/early.html
https://oi.uchicago.edu/museum-exhibits/nubia/nubian-archers https://www.primitiveways.com/archer's_thumb_ring.html
New insights into Nubia archery: Łukasz Zieliński
Our Standard Review
Date created: 16 Aug 2024 06:10:11
Critical Evaluation:
The article presents a coherent narrative about the historical significance of archery in Nubia, particularly focusing on the evolution of bows and their cultural importance. The arguments are logically structured, beginning with the origins of the bow in Nubia and progressing through various types of bows and their uses. The evidence, such as archaeological finds and rock art, supports the claims made about the early use of bows for hunting and trade. However, the article could be strengthened by providing more specific archaeological examples or dates to enhance its credibility.
While the article does a good job of explaining the cultural significance of the bow, it could be perceived as somewhat biased towards glorifying Nubian archery without adequately addressing the context of Egyptian archery practices. This could lead to an oversimplified view of the relationship between Nubians and Egyptians. The implications of Nubian archery in the broader historical context, such as its influence on military strategies or trade, could also be explored more deeply.
Quality of Information:
The language used in the article is generally accessible, making it easy for a broad audience to understand the subject matter. Technical terms, such as "petroglyphs" (rock carvings) and "composite bows" (bows made from different materials), are introduced without sufficient explanation, which may confuse readers unfamiliar with these concepts. The information appears accurate and reliable, with references to archaeological findings and historical records. However, the article lacks citations for some claims, which could raise questions about the reliability of certain statements.
There are no apparent signs of fake news or misleading information, but the article could benefit from a more rigorous adherence to ethical standards in research, such as properly citing all sources. While it presents some new insights into Nubian archery, much of the information seems to reiterate existing knowledge without offering groundbreaking perspectives.
Use of Evidence and References:
The sources cited in the article seem relevant to the topic, particularly the mention of archaeological studies and historical accounts. However, the article does not provide enough detail about these sources, such as their publication dates or the credentials of the authors, which could help establish their credibility. There are gaps in the evidence, particularly regarding specific archaeological findings that could substantiate the claims made about the bows and their evolution. More detailed references to primary sources or studies would enhance the article's authority.
Further Research and References:
Further research could explore the following areas:
- The impact of Nubian archery on Egyptian military tactics.
- Comparative studies of Nubian and Egyptian bow-making techniques.
- The role of archery in Nubian trade networks.
- Archaeological discoveries that provide more context about the daily life of Nubian archers.
Additional literature that could be useful includes:
- Historical texts on Nubian culture and military practices.
- Archaeological reports from excavations in Nubia.
- Studies on the technological advancements in ancient weaponry.
Questions for Further Research:
- What specific archaeological findings support the claims about the origins of archery in Nubia?
- How did Nubian archery techniques influence other cultures in the region?
- What were the social implications of archery skills in Nubian society?
- How did the relationship between Nubians and Egyptians evolve over time concerning military practices?
- What role did trade play in the development of archery in Nubia?
- Are there any surviving artifacts from Nubian archers that provide insight into their techniques?
- How did the introduction of composite bows change the dynamics of warfare in Nubia?
- What were the training methods for Nubian archers, and how did they differ from those of Egyptians?
- How did Nubian archery practices adapt over time, particularly during periods of conflict?
- What can modern archery practices learn from the techniques used by ancient Nubian archers?
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Contributor's Box
Reconnect Africa with its people.
A (somewhat) summarised insight into (mostly) pre-colonial African history 🖤