Opened in 1997, the Nubian Museum is excellent if the belated contribution to the history and culture of ancient Nubia and its people in Egyptian history. This culture, no less ancient than that of Pharaonic Egypt, occupied the banks of the Nile for millennia in the area defined today as southern Egypt or northern Sudan.
This civilization was almost destroyed by the construction of the High Dam, which caused the flooding of the ancient center of Nubia, and the subsequent forced relocation of over 100,000 people. The museum houses the collection of artifacts found in the Nubian region, and tells the story of the development of civilization in the southern Nile valley, from prehistoric times through the Pharaonic ages, the advent of Christianity and Islam, and finally the construction of the dam in the 1960s.
The Nubian question has become an issue of great political interest. In the race for the development of the country in the ’50s and ’60s, the Egyptian government did not adequately compensate nor plan the rehabilitation of the population affected by the consequences of the High Dam.
The protection of the heritage of the Nubian culture was also neglected. A few international organizations were willing to relocate some of Nubia’s most important monuments to neighboring areas, such as the temples of Abu Simbel. Others were dismantled and shipped abroad as compensation for the aid received. The temple of Dendur now on display at the Metropolitan Museum in New York is one example.
The Nubian museum intended to make its contribution against this injustice, although it succeeded only in part, especially because in its exhibitions it still makes no mention of the consequences of the dam on the Nubian population; on the other hand, it is one of the only institutions that continue to provide a picture of the history of the region and this fascinating culture.
Of particular note are the traditional houses, salvaged from currently submerged areas.
The museum is located in the vicinity of the Fatimid cemetery, which contains a considerable number of small mausoleums dating back to the 9th century. Some of the tombs here belong to local saints and are decorated according to the motifs of traditional flags and are often visited by the local population. The cemetery is located next to the old granite quarry where the unfinished obelisk stands. Almost 2 meters high, this would have been the largest obelisk ever carved in antiquity. Completed on three sides, it remained anchored to the bedrock when cracks were discovered along with its structure.
The Museum’s collections
In this small museum, many examples of Nubian art are collected and various moments of the daily life of this culture have been reconstructed. A large statue of Ramesses II towers over the entrance, welcoming visitors.
Walking through the halls of the museum you can admire various artifacts dating back to various periods, from the Egyptian period until the Islamic conquest of these territories. A splendid example of this period is a beautiful golden amphora, decorated with stylized Arabic inscriptions. The same amphora is represented in an Egyptian banknote.
