Even before the release of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc and The Mummy, Americans had found a place in their hearts for all things Egyptian. The ancient Nubians, whose thrived in North Africa from 6000 B.C. to 350 A.D. were as strong a culture as America today, but they also loved and imitated Egyptian art.

The Carlos Museum’s new exhibit “Lost Kingdoms of the Nile” showcases artifacts from the ancient North African country. Though some objects are peculiar to the Nubians, there are many that show an artistic propensity for Egyptian art. The exhibit also features photos and records of the excavations that brought these objects to light and the turn of the 20th century.

Set in the top floor of the Carlos, the exhibit consists of three large rooms and three side rooms all painted a deep purple. Against this somber backdrop, the many artifacts brighten up the rooms with their vivid colors and fascinating designs.

To the untrained eye, the collection appears at first to be an Egyptian treasure trove. The objects on display include scarab beetles, mummy statuettes and model reconstructions of pyramids. Ancient Egyptians simply had a good deal of aesthetic sway over their neighbors to the south. Each kingdom held political power over the other at some point, and the Nubians were just as fond of Egyptian knock-offs as are Americans today.

The artifacts on display are fascinating and well-labeled, for those who know little about the subject of ancient Nubia (which is most Americans).

“I wanted to put on this exhibit to show Atlantans that there’s more to Africa than just Egypt,” Peter Lacovara, the exhibit curator, said.

One of the most interesting cases contains two bits of ivory shaped roughly like breast cancer ribbons. In fact, these are military medals meant to represent flies. The idea behind them was that men who acted with valor in battle were relentless, just like the insects.

The word “Nubia” comes from the Egyptian word for gold, a metal that played an important part in Nubian daily life. One of the displays features a gold weight, which was used to standardize trade exchanges before modern currency.

Gold trinkets and jewelry also fill many of the display cases. The Nubians were actually more adventurous with their jewelry than the Egyptians, drawing from Egyptian styles to create more complex designs, according to Lacovara.

Indeed, the jewelry on display is intricate and colorful. There is a good mix of bright beads, gold trinkets and even a mirror that perhaps once served to feed an ancient king’s vanity.
Visitors to the Nubian exhibit should first take a look at the first floor Egyptian exhibit.

Despite the clear influence of Egyptian art on Nubian aesthetics, there are distinctions in style. For example, figures tend to be less rounded and there are no hieroglyphics or any kind of script, as there was no written language.

Archaeologists began excavating the site from which most of the artifacts come in 1907. Located on the Nile, it had been historically difficult to reach.

Some of the artifacts have remained in remarkable condition. There are still a few examples of textiles, but the Carlos now boasts another remarkable find: a set of leather tassels, a common addition to Nubian dress.

“Those tassels are probably my favorite objects,” said Lacovara. “You see them in artistic depictions. Just that they survived is amazing.”

One of the best parts of the exhibit is the photographs. Many of these reproductions chronicle the 1907 Nubian excavations.

The photographs, like the rest of the exhibit, are windows to a different time, depicting the outdated clothing styles and technology of the turn-of-the-century excavators.

There are also reproductions of some works of art. The Egyptians may have inspired the Nubians in the style of their art, but the Nubians sometimes served as inspiration for Egyptian art as well.

One large reproduction of an Egyptian wall painting shows a stylized depiction of the Nubians. They are distinct from the Egyptians with their darker skin and more elaborate dress.

Like the civilizations of the Nile, Americans wonder at aspects of other cultures today. It is clear from Hollywood films and exhibits like this that past cultures can still inform and inspire.

— Contact Frances Allitt.