The Mysterious C-Group People of Lower Nubia

About 2300 BCE, the Egyptians left Lower Nubia when large groups of cattle herders moved in and began to threaten them. These people were experts in the use of the bow and arrow.

The newcomers formed three small chiefdoms or kingdoms, called Wawat, Irtjet, and Setju. Archaeologists found rock drawings that may show their rulers. These men were drawn just like kings of Egypt. They wore tall crowns and had their names written in Egyptian hieroglyphs. Archaeologists believe they were Nubian rulers because their names were unlike the names of any known Egyptian kings.

Unfortunately, these Nubians almost never used writing, so we do not know what they called themselves. The Egyptians called them "Nehesy", but archaeologists call them the "C-group". Their most interesting remains are their cemeteries of round graves, their beautiful red or black pottery covered with white designs, the tiny cattle and animal figures buried in their tombs, and the plump, tattooed women drawn on pottery or made into figurines.

Rock drawing from northern Nubia possibly showing a C-Group king. About 2200-2000 BCE.

Copy of a drawing from R. G. Morkot, The Black Pharaohs: Egypt's Nubian Rulers. London: 2000, p. 55.

Cemetery of round C-Group graves in northern Nubia.

Photo: J. Junker.

Typical C-Group pottery jar with incised white-filled designs,

Courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Clay figurines of cattle and other animals found in C-Group graves.

Photo: J. Junker.