Morkot, Robert George; (1994) Economic and cultural exchange between Kush and Egypt. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

One of the major problems of Nubian history is assessing the impact of Egyptian rule in Kush during the New Kingdom (c 1550-1070 BC) on the emergence of a powerful 'Egyptianised' indigenous state in the 9th-8th C BC. In order to address this issue, the nature of Egyptian rule in Nubia is examined. The conventional view of the extent of Egyptian military and political control is questioned. It is proposed that a buffer zone was left between the area of direct control and the official frontier, with local rulers. It is argued that the 'Egyptian' administration was drawn largely from local elite families rather than being 'colonial Egyptians' and that other local political powers were accommodated. An integrated economy is advocated. The cultural impact of Egypt is seen as the explanation of the 'disappearance' of the indigenous population that was argued by earlier archaeologists. The impact of Egyptian religion, notably the promotion of the royal cult is examined. The re-assessment of Nubia under Egyptian viceregal rule allows the conventional view of the period between the end of the Viceregal administration and the emergence of a new indigenous kingdom to be questioned. Following an examination of the archaeological and historical material, it is argued that immediately following the end of Egyptian rule, local rulers assumed power and modelled themselves on the pharaonic monarchy. The evidence for the continuity of trade is discussed and its importance to the emergence of the indigenous Kushite state is assessed. The whole historical process is viewed against the background of the end of the Late Bronze Age and the changing trade axes and rise of Assyrian power in western Asia.

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