Badarians Ancient Egyptian Civilization

Badarians Ancient Egyptian Civilization By: Emele Maisey

The Badarian culture is the earliest known civilized Egyptian civilization to have been discovered so far and was one of the most remarkable during Pre-Dynastic times. Named after al-Badari in Asyut this indigenous civilized culture was first discovered in 1923 by archaeologists Brunton and Caton-Thompson when they excavated about 600 tombs. It is thought the Badarians existed around 4500 B.C - 4000 B.C although some say they may have existed as early as 5500 B.C. The Badarian culture comes from multiple sources giving them a mixed race origin which is mostly connected to Africa rather than Europe. They were the first farming community in upper Egypt, growing barley, wheat and flax with flocks of sheep and goats. The Badarians traveled seasonally, moving with their livestock and conducting their farming. Characteristic Badarian finds have been found farther to the South as well as to the East meaning the culture was established not just in the Badari region but in other parts of Upper Egypt also. They were also the first people to mine copper in Upper Egypt. As well as this they produced the common Blacktop-ware (red ware) pottery, carved objects made from ivory and woven linen fabrics. They also traded, acquiring, amongst other things, turquoise and wood. The group had a hierarchical structure which included semi or fully permanent community leaders, the hierarchy system can be seen at the burial sites as the more prosperous members of the community were buried in a different part of the cemetery. Based on the findings of the remains it is thought the Badarians were peaceful people There were no broken bones or injuries, no warlike weapons were found and there were a good number of older people among those buried. The dead were buried in the low desert, away from the living areas and agricultural land, and were buried with their finest possessions, personal possessions such as toilet items and jewelry, craft implements and clothing for their journey into the next world. Amulets with animal heads of gazelle and hippopotamus's were also found in the graves. They were placed on mats and wrapped up in the fetal position, buried in pits with their heads laid to the south, looking west. This, as well as burying the deceased with their possessions, means that the Badarians believed in life after death - The south representing "the land of all beginnings" and "the land of the spirits" where as the west was always thought to hold "the hidden land". As well as burying there own, the Badarian people also gave their animals ceremonial burials. The remains of cows, dogs, even crows were found in the cemeteries of this ancient civilization, discovered just over 80 years ago.