Tasian culture facts for kids
| Geographical range | Upper Egypt |
|---|---|
| Period | Neolithic |
| Dates | ~4,500 BC |
| Type site | Deir Tasa |
| Characteristics | Contemporary with Badari culture, Merimde culture |
| Preceded by | Faiyum A culture |
| Followed by | Badari culture, Amratian culture |
The Tasian culture was an ancient group of people in Upper Egypt. They lived around 4500 BC, long before the famous pharaohs. We call it 'Tasian' because of graves found at Deir Tasa. This place is on the east side of the Nile River, between Asyut and Akhmim. Some experts think the Tasian culture was actually part of the later Badari culture. They are not sure if it was a separate group.
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What Was the Tasian Culture?
The Tasian people are famous for making a special kind of pottery. This pottery was red or brown, but its top and inside were painted black. This unique style is called "black-topped pottery." It is one of the earliest types of pottery found in ancient Egypt.
How We Date Ancient Sites
This pottery helps archaeologists figure out how old different sites are. Since exact dates for this time are hard to find, a smart archaeologist named Flinders Petrie created a system. It is called Sequence Dating. This system helps tell us if one site is older or newer than another.
Pottery Handles as Clues
Flinders Petrie noticed that pottery handles changed over time. At first, handles were useful for carrying pots. Later, they became more like decorations. By looking at how many useful or decorative handles are found at a site, experts can guess its age. Tasian pottery is very similar to Badarian pottery. This means the Tasian culture fits into a similar time period.
What We Know About the Tasian People
When archaeologists dug up Tasian graves, they found many skeletons. These ancient people were generally taller and stronger than Egyptians who lived later. Their skulls were also long, like many other ancient skulls. But they were also wide, similar to people from the Merimde culture. Skulls from other groups, like the Badarian and Amratian, were usually smaller and narrower.
Where Did They Come From?
Evidence suggests that the Tasian and Badarian people along the Nile River were connected to other African cultures. People from the Sahara desert, Nubia, and other Nilotic areas moved around. An Egyptologist named Bruce Williams said that the Tasian Period is linked to older cultures from the Sahara and Sudan.
Dental Clues
Studies of Tasian teeth show they had traits similar to people from Sub-Saharan Africa. Some also had traits like people from North Africa. This might mean the Tasian population was a mix of these groups. However, only a few teeth were studied, so it is hard to be completely sure.
