The Eastern Cemetery of Kerma

Abstract

Abstract The Eastern Cemetery of Kerma is located south of the Third Cataract, close to the ancient city that was likely the center of the Kingdom of Kerma. It extends over 70 hectares and contains about 40,000 graves. Its development from north to south covers the whole duration of the Kerma civilization (2500–1500 bce) and gives a general idea of the richness of funerary rituals and of the process of social stratification. At its beginning, the graves, small with few objects, express a relative equality of treatment in the face of death. Stratification is first perceptible during the Kerma Ancien II phase (2300–2100 bce) with larger graves of archers containing more objects, sacrificed animals, and sometimes accompanying people buried next to the main burial. A few decades later appear the first large tumuli of 20 m in diameter, which contain the graves of the rulers. During the next period which starts about 2050 bce (Kerma Moyen), the development of the cemetery is spectacular, with the multiplication of great tumuli following its central ridge. This trend culminates during the Kerma Classique (1750–1500 bce) with the royal graves excavated by George Reisner a century ago. Some of them can reach 90 m in diameter and contain hundreds of subsidiary burials; two funerary temples were erected in their proximity. The cemetery was abandoned just before the Egyptian conquest and a last royal grave was built close to the ancient city.

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