دور السودان القديم في إثراء الحضارة الإنسانية : قراءة للسجل الآثاري

Abstract EN

Ancient Sudan played an important role in the development of the human civilization.Of the most outstanding Sudanese contributions in the intellectual and technological development of the Old World, were writing (Meroitic Inscriptions), invention of potteryand iron-working.

It has been evident that ancient Sudan was the first place in Africawhere pottery was manufactured (ca.

7500 B.

C).

The expertise acquired by ancientSudanese (Kushites) as a result of long experimentation with the pyrotechnology of pottery(ca.

75003000- B C) and copper (cm 25001500- BC.) warrants their rapid Inception ofmetallurgy.

The assumption that the Kushite (Meroitic) Kingdom being the first state inAfrica where iron was smelted and manufactured has been confirmed not only byradiocarbon dates but also by well-established industry incomparison with thecontemporary African countries.

These achievements culminated by the acquisitionof local alphabets (180170- B.C.) the meaning of which, in most instances, remains amystery.

This paper argues for the pioneering cultural achievements of the ancient Sudanand hence enlightening us about its glorious history which stands as a major landmark in Africa and the Old World.