UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

The spreading of Christianity in Nubia
Some important religious buildings in Old Dongola date from that period. 40
Other Nubian churches, such as those of Abdallah Nirqi 4 ' and Al-Sabu'a, 42
were splendidly decorated with murals which became a constant feature of
ceremonial decoration.
Excavation of sites known for some time or recently discovered have also
revealed how widely Christianity was established at a more humble level,
that is, in the villages, as early as the eighth century. 43
Probably at the end of the eighth and the beginning of the ninth
centuries the Nubian King Yoannes added to the united kingdom of Nubia
the southern province of Alodia. 44
The Christian period was a time of rapid economic development in
Nubia. The population of northern Nubia alone was about 5000o. 45
The introduction of saqiya (water-wheel) irrigation in the Ptolemaic and
Roman periods enlarged the area under cultivation by watering it between
the abundant Nile floods of that time 4 6 and it produced wheat, barley,
millet and grapes. The abundant date harvests from the palm plantations
also raised the country's living standards.
Trade with neighbouring countries increased but extended far beyond
them. The inhabitants of Makuria sold ivory to Byzantium and copper
and gold to Ethiopia. Their merchants' caravans went to the heart of Africa,
to the lands which are now Nigeria and Ghana, in rowing boats and on
camels. The well-to-do classes preferred Byzantine dress. The women
wore long robes, often decorated with coloured embroidery. 47
As has already been said, the organization of power in Christian Nubia
was modelled on Byzantium. The civil governor of the province was the
eparch, whose authority was symbolized by the horned crown which he
wore on a helmet decorated with a crescent. 48 He usually wore a full
robe held in by a scarf. The fringes of the bishops' stoles, which they
wore over their rich and complex liturgical vestments, were adorned with
small bells.
That the Nubians were famous archers is attested by many ancient and
Arab authors. In addition to the bow they used the sword and the javelin.
Private houses were built of unbaked bricks and had several rooms; they
were vaulted or had flatroofs of wood, thatch and clay. At the height of
Nubia's prosperity their walls were more massive and were whitened.
40. See note 16 above.
41. A. Klasens, 1964, pp. 147-56; P. Van Moorsel, 1967, pp. 388-92; 1966, pp. 297-
316; idem, Actas del VIII Congreso Internacional de Arqueología Cristiana, Barcelona, 1972,
PP- 349-95; idem, 1970, pp. 103-10.
42. F. Daumas, Cairo, 1967, pp. 4off.; 1965, pp. 41-50.
43. J. Vercoutter, 1970, pp. 155-60.
44. U. Monneret de Villard, 1938, p. 102; K. Michalowski, 1965a, p. 17.
45. B. G. Trigger, 1965, p. 168.
46. ibid., p. 166.
47. I. Hofmann, 1967, pp. 522-92.
48. K. Michalowski, 1974, pp. 44-5.
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