From the 6th century BC to the beginning of 4th century AD, Meroe existed and flourished in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. The ruins of Meroe are located on the east bank of the Nile about 4 miles north of Kabushiyoh in present day Sudan (Britannica p.1). The town of Meroe served as the capital for the country.
The exact time of discovery of Meroe is hard to interpret. Many scholars and travelers mentioned a site of ruins they had seen and speculated that it was the ancient city of Meroe. From 1910-1914 a man named Garstang excavated much of the town and therefore proved that the ruins were indeed those of the ancient city of Meroe. Many others excavated the area and contributed to the discovery of the town.
Through the excavations of Meroe, a picture of a prosperous, strong civilization appears. The Meroitic people relied heavily on the Nile River and its resources. The people relied both on agriculture and the domestication of animals. The crops consisted of different grains and cows were raised for milking and as a food source. Horses were also a part of the culture and were used for transportation purposes.
Iron working appears to have been at the center of Meroe. The raw material for the iron was available in the sandstone hills of northern Sudan. It appears that the ore was smelted in a simple furnace system, fired by charcoal. This charcoal was abundant in the groves of the acacia trees which grew along the Nile.
It is believed that Meroitic culture and its influences spread throughout Africa, particularly the ability to fashion iron weapons and tools. The development of the iron hoe allowed cultures to increase food production and increase population. By using iron weapons many civilizations were able to establish themselves as a centralized power.
Many artifacts have been discovered at the ruins of Meroe. Various tools and weapons made of iron and bronze have been excavated. There have been more weapons found than tools. This fact helps reemphasize that strong weapons were required for the Meroitic people to protect themselves and to allow the Meroe culture to flourish. These weapons were also considered objects of greater prestige and were sometimes buried with their owners. Iron arrowheads were found in great quantities, supporting the theory that the main weapon was the bow and arrow.
Sources
Shinnie, P.L. Meroe A Civilization Of The Sudan. New York: Praeger, 1967.
“Meroe” Encyclopedia Britannica Online 1999-2000.