The New York Times published an article titled “Nubian Monarchy Called Oldest“, highlighting the findings of archaeologist Bruce Williams at Qustul, in what is now southern Egypt near the Sudanese border. Excavations revealed royal tombs and artifacts—including incense burners with royal iconography—dating back to around 3300 BCE, predating the earliest known Egyptian pharaohs.

These findings suggest that the ancient Nubian kingdom of Ta-Seti, often overlooked in mainstream history, may have pioneered the world’s first divine kingship—a form of monarchy where rulers were considered gods or divine agents. This concept later became central to the governance and religion of ancient Egypt.

The discovery challenges long-held Eurocentric narratives that placed Egypt as the sole cradle of advanced civilization in Africa. It reinforces the understanding that Nubia was not just a neighbor or rival to Egypt, but a source of major cultural and political innovations that flowed north along the Nile. Nubia had its own writing systems, monumental architecture, and rich spiritual traditions, and its legacy continues to influence African identity and pride today.