Makurian Discussion

Dedicated for all DNA, Analysis Results, History, Research topics related to: Makurian

Makuria was one of several Nubian kingdoms which emerged after the fall of the Kushite Kingdom - and was in fact a Christian Kingdom. As its neighbor Egypt had been conquered by Islamic armies, an Arab army invaded but was repulsed in 651 AD. Makuria seized the moment and expanded creating a powerful regional kingdom which reached its peak of prosperity during the 8th and 9th centuries. The main economy was agriculture and pottery. Makurian trade was mostly by barter so a currency was never officially adopted. In the 12th century the famous Saladin defeated the Crusaders in the Holy Land. King Moses Georgious of Makuria sent an army to pillage Aswan in Egypt prompting Saladin to dispatch his brother Turan-Shah who sent an emissary to the Nubian king. King Georgious responded by stamping a hit iron cross on the emissarys hand. Saladin left a detachment of Kurdish troops to raid Lower Nubia for the next 2 years - their commander drowned crossing the Nile resulting in the retreat of Saladins troops out of Nubia and bringing peace for another 100 years.