Toilet Set
Iron
Meroitic Phase IIIB-IV (AD 200-300)
Ballana, Cemetery B, tomb 26
OIM 22497

In most periods of Nubian history, society was made up of royalty and a small ruling class who governed a general population of farmers, herdsmen, merchants, soldiers, and artisans. Farmers grew emmer wheat, barley, dates, and nuts that provided the raw materials for bread, beer, wine, and other staples of the Nubian diet. Cattle, sheep, hippos, gazelles, ostriches, geese, and turtles were hunted and slaughtered for food, and the Nile provided a steady supply of fish.

Nubian clothing was made from leather, linen, or wool and was often elaborately decorated with geometric designs or shiny ornaments made of mica. Men wore leather loincloths embellished with elaborate diamond-patterned beadwork. Women usually wore leather knee-length skirts or tunics with drawstrings and beaded designs at the waist. Beads were made of ostrich egg shell, gold, or silver and were sewn onto clothing.

Originally worn on a belt as part of daily dress, this well-crafted iron Nubian grooming implement looks much like a modern day multi-tool set. The tweezers were used to pluck hair and remove thorns from the feet.