Want to speak Hittite? Hold out a glass and ask for “wa-tar.” This unique activity book for children ages nine and up shows what life was like among the Nubians, Mesopotamians, Hittites, and their neighbors the Egyptians from around 3100 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one kingdom, to the death of Queen Cleopatra under the Romans, in 30 B.C. Projects such as building a Nubian irrigation machine, creating a Mesopotamian cylinder seal out of clay, making kilts like those worn by Egyptian boys and men, and writing in Hittite cuneiform help young readers to connect with these ancient cultures and see how profoundly they have influenced our own.

Most of the garments of early Nubians were made of leather from the skins of cattle, sheep, and goats. At other times Nubians tied leopard or gazelle skins into kilts. Sometimes they wore leather sandals and caps, and belts made of woven linen or leather. Men, women, and children wore jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, arm bands, earrings, and rings. Men and women wore makeup around their eyes. We’re not sure why they did this; perhaps it was to prevent eye disease, deflect the sun, or for religious purposes. Or perhaps, like many peoples, they found the eye makeup beautiful. Sometimes they wore tall ostrich feathers in their hair.

Nubians decorated their clothing. They stamped designs onto leather or dyed it red. In Kerma, some wore leather clothing decorated with beads in fancy patterns or designs made of punched holes.

Many Nubians wore tattoos and purposely scarred their faces in different patterns. No one is certain exactly why they did this, but tattooing is a favorite body ornament in many world cultures. Hairstyles varied. Sometimes men or women wore many tiny braids. Other times they cut their hair short. Women from the C-Group often wore hair clips made of shell.

Fashions changed over time, and rich people often dressed differently from the poor. For example, some Kerman men wore only goatskins tied around their waists, and leather sandals. Others added linen robes, beaded belts, or caps with feathers. Many servants buried in Kerman kings’ tombs wore caps stitched with tiny animals carved of glittery mica. At different times in Nubian history, Nubians who had lived in Egypt or in close contact with Egyptians adopted Egyptian fashions. Women wore linen dresses and colored collars. Men wore pleated linen kilts. They might combine these with traditional Nubian ostrich feathers and heavy round earrings.

Kings and queens in Napata and Meroe developed their own blend of Nubian and Egyptian styles. They wore red fringed shawls over long linen gowns with colored borders. Kings and queens wore a lot of gold jewelry, including necklaces, collars, bracelets on their wrists and upper arms, and anklets (bracelets for the ankles).

 

Foreword Time Line Introduction The Egyptians Egyptian History and Geography Egyptian Architecture Egyptian Clothing Egyptian Writing Egytpian Work Egyptian Food Egyptian Religion Conclusion The Mesopotamians Mesopotamian History and Geography Mesopotamian Architecture Mesopotamian Clothing Mesopotamian Writing Mesopotamian Work Mesopotamian Food Mesopotamian Religion Conclusion The Nubians Nubian History and Geography Nubian Architecture Nubian Clothing Nubian Writing Nubian Work Nubian Food Nubian Religion Conclusion The Hitties Hittite History and Geography Hittite Architecture Hittite Clothing Hittite Writing Hittite Work Hittite Food Hittite Religion Conclusion Epilogue Acknowledgements Further Reading Bibliography Index

 

Ancient Egyptians and Their Neighbors by Marian Broida
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