BurialsPrehistoric BurialsHeavy excavations in the south most regions of Lower Nubia at Wadi Halfa 1 in Sudan lead to the discovery of the oldest human evidence in the Nile Valley dating to the Paleolithic Age (Qadan- 13000-8000 BC). Other Paleolithic sites were located likewise in the southern portions of Lower Nubia including Toshka, and Gebel Sahaba 2. At Toshka domesticated wild cattle were put on top of many of the burials, indicating the practice of a certain ritual, perhaps the ritual of scarifies. The burial pits were mostly circular that perhaps lead to the building of the mound structure. However in most of the sites the deceased had no specific body orientation although contracted positioning was common. No significant finds were recovered.
In spite of the intensive archeology of Lower Nubia, no Neolithic graves were uncovered in Lower Nubia. The only Neolithic discoveries have only been found in southern Nubia in Khartoum, Kadruka, Shabona , el Ghaba , Kadero, and Wadi Halfa3. However most important excavations were conducted at Khartoum which revealed a culture that dates back to about 6908 years ago4. The discoveries point to the existence of a small settled village or community at Khartoum. The bodies were contracted and laid on their backs, thus symbolizing birth. This was the first indication for the beginning of the religious concept that later became embodied on the cult of Re, the sun god. The bodies were for the most part naked. Many burials contained pottery showing the first signs for mortuary offering that continued throughout the ancient history of Nubia. Not much burial goods were found except for some water mollusk shells from Khartoum, some ostrich feathers (for head decoration) and other few toilet ornaments. At Kadero and el Ghaba large cemeteries have been discovered outside of their settlements. Dating to the Neolithic period, at el Ghaba considerable amount of circular or sub-circular pits (diameters varying from 120cm to 160 cm.). There, bodies were adorned with personal commodities like bracelets and necklaces and lip-plugs, stone and bone tools, pottery, ostrich feathers, water mollusc shells. Clothe made of natural local materials, headrests and footrests and traces of facial painting perhaps an indication tribal identity.
From these graves we start to see the first culture of Nubia taking shape. The habit for burying in circular pits is going to continue throughout Nubia's ancient history starting from the Kerma, disappearing in the Napatan and Merioitic period, and appearing again in the Christian era. The existence for mollusc shells, probable obtained from the Red Sea are some of the world's earliest evidence of human trade, exchange. Slight differences of burials at Kadero, indicate the formation of tribal differences in Nubia. For example in Kadero the bodies are contracted but on their sides, with orientation. Different in the material goods asserts the accuracy of the assumption. Pillows and mats, fragments of malachite among offerings, Vases are among the grave findings. The graves of Kadero are the first indication for animal sacrifices as pieces of animal bones of dogs were found. Human sacrifices were discovered in El-Kadada. This habit of animal sacrifices was also to continue throughout the Nubian history as a distinguished habit in reference to other civilizations. Child burials in bucrania and child burials in large vessels were also common, indicating a special concern on the subject of maturity.
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