Ancient Nubia: Neglected But Very Important
by Ancient Nubia was neglected for many years, creating a gap in history. Recently, though, the author David Roberts has shed more light on this great civilization.
The art of the ancient Nubians not only demonstrates it’s sophistication in terms of precise geometric lines, but also in terms of intricate artistic abilities and the intelligence that comes with advanced art forms. To quote Roberts: “In its drift away from Egyptian culture over the centuries, Meroitic [Nubian] art developed its own idiosyncratic genius” (Roberts, 66). In addition, Roberts talks about an experience he had with the art:
At the Oriental Institute, Emily Teeter explained to me its quirks. ‘It becomes a very spontaneous art, full of free-flowing improvisation,’ she said, pausing before a meroitic pot. ‘You see that?’ She pointed to a curling snake painted on the vessel, holding in its mouth a drooping flower. ‘The flower is obviously an ankh.’ (Roberts, 66).
So, Nubian art is very sophisticated, intricate, and intelligent, based on the creativity and mystery within their art.
As in everything in life, it’s important to understand the whole in order to understand one side, or one viewpoint. In the words of John Stuart Mill:
The only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of a subject is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion and studying all modes in which it can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this.
Likewise, one cannot get a complete grip on ancient history unless one understands the whole; in other words, understand as many civilizations as possible. Because, of course, civilizations are a vast network, and they all influence each other in different ways. If you take one out, a hole in history is created. That is exactly what was happening with Nubia: the neglect caused people to be uninformed about Nubia, and their whole view of history had a hole. But, via artwork, Nubia’s existence and sophistication is now known, and there is no longer a gap in history. For this reason, Nubia is very significant, as well as David Roberts is very significant for making Nubia more well-known.
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