Quiver and Flaps
Leather
X-Group (AD 370-410)
Qustul, Cemetery Q, tomb 149
OIM 20375A-B

Archer's Thumb Ring
Stone
X-Group Period (AD 370-410)
Qustul, Cemetery Q, tomb 147
OIM 20302


Single-barb Arrowheads
Iron
X-Group (AD 370-410)
Qustul, Cemetery Q, tomb 9
OIM 20225A-C, 20957B

Egypt and Nubia were engaged in an ongoing struggle for control of the Nile Valley that sometimes resulted in military conflict. Each looked for signs of weakness that would signal an opportunity for conquest over the other. The Egyptians conquered northern Nubia in about 1900 BC, beginning a long period of conflict and, often, domination of Nubia by Egyptian forces. Around 725 BC, the Nubians in turn seized the opportunity to send its armies north and take control of an internally fragmented Egypt.

The Nubians were renowned in the ancient world for the skills of their archers. They defended their land from foreign armies, but also served as mercenaries in the Egyptian army. Archery skills were highly valued in Nubia and many warriors were buried with their bows, arrows, and quivers. Gods were shown holding bows and Nubian kings and queens are shown on artifacts wearing the archer’s thumb ring. The thumb ring was an invention that protected the thumb from the taut bowstring, allowing the bow to be fully drawn.

The image to the left shows a number of items used by Nubian archers. The beautifully decorated leather quiver that once held arrows was found in a Nubian archer’s grave with a leather saddle and a colorfully woven blanket. Alongside the quiver are a thumb ring and four barbed arrowheads that would have been particularly difficult to remove from flesh.