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Yam an expansive kingdom
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Djehuti: [QB] [URL=http://people.tamu.edu/~louhodges/RPTS-209/readings/herkhuf.htm]EXPLORATIONS OF HERKHUF[/URL] [i] [Herkhuf, an Egyptian nobleman, served the Egyptian Pharaoh Mernera (Sixth Dynasty, 2340-2160 BC), traveling extensively through Nubia.] "With the increase of Egyptian prestige in Nubia, the way was open for exploration into the far south and foremost in this was the nobleman Herkhuf, who may be considered the first explorer of whom history has any real record. ...Herkhuf was sent by Mernera to lead an expedition to open up communications with Yam, a country of whose location we are as yet uncertain, but which was certainly south of the Second Cataract; in fact, some authorities believe it was as far south as Darfur. This expedition, which was absent for seven months, was such a success that Herkhuf was soon sent on another journey through Nubia, taking what he describes as the "Elephantine Road," which has been identified as the desert road starting on the west bank at Aswan which runs some distance out, but more or less parallel with the river. This road is still used extensively at the present time in the driving up of great herds of camels from the Sudan destined for the meat markets of Egypt. Herkhuf was understandably proud of his success as an explorer, for with reference to his second expedition he records that "Never before had any noble or caravan-leader who went forth to Yam done this." "After an interval, apparently of some years, Herkhuf undertook his third journey into the unknown south. This time he took a different route which he describes as the "What" road; it appears to have been farther out in the western desert, probably the Daraw-Kurkur track which is still used by express caravans today. It passes through the oasis of Kurkur, and here Herkhuf learned that the Chief of Yam had passed that way shortly before him, with the intention of waging war against the Temehu or Libyan inhabitants of the Kharga Oasis. For some reason not explained, Herkhuf felt it his duty to follow and act as a peacemaker, in which undertaking he succeeded, for he apparently enjoyed considerable influence and prestige with the people of Yam, who gave him a military escort on his return journey to Egypt. This escort was probably very necessary, for Herkhuf came back with 300 donkeys laden with valuable products of the south, such as incense, ebony, and ivory, which would have been welcome plunder for the inhabitants of Lower Nubia, through whose land he had to pass. "Herkhuf's fourth and last journey was made after the death of his royal master Mernera who had been succeeded by the boy king Pepi II. During his return journey he wrote to the king informing him that he was bringing a dancing dwarf from the land of Yam. This news delighted the young pharaoh and he sent a letter to the explorer saying: "Come northward to the court immediately, and bring with you the pygmy which you have brought living, in good condition and healthy, from the land of ghosts, for the amusement of the king, to rejoice and gladden his heart. When the pygmy is in the vessel, appoint trustworthy people to be on either side of him. Take care that he does not fall in the water. When he is sleeping at night, appoint trustworthy people to sleep beside him in his cabin, and make an inspection ten times a night. My Majesty desires to see this pygmy more than the gifts of Sinai and of Punt." There is some question as to whether Herkhuf's gift to the king was a real pygmy or just a dwarf, for the translation of the ancient Egyptian word is uncertain. If indeed it was a real pygmy, it would suggest that the expedition must have penetrated far into the southern Sudan, or alternatively that the little captive had been obtained through barter in the land of Yam." Emery, Walter B. 1967. "Outline of Nubian History, Part I: The Archaic Period and the Old Kingdom, c. 3100-2160 BC." Lost Land Emerging. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 177-179[/i] ^ From the above information it can be ascertained that Yam's likely location was somewhere to the south past the 2nd cataract going towards Punt and probably bordering the Libyan Temehu to their west as seen by their apparent conflict with them. It's interesting that references to Yam disappear at around the same time that Kushite kingdom of Kerma arose. It's little doubt Yam was replaced or assimilated by Kerma. [IMG]http://www.egypt-tehuti.org/graphics/map-africa-trade-routes.gif[/IMG] The above map which Tukuler originally posted comes from [URL=http://www.egypt-tehuti.org]www.egypt-tehuti.org[/URL] which is a website on Egypt's African identity though apparently you have to register to enter. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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