User:Lellenkarsen/Buhen

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Buhen, as a settlement was established during the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BCE), but the fortress which Buhen is famous for was not established until the Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BCE). During the Old Kingdom, Buhen was primarily used to smelt copper, until the Middle Kingdom, when the site was used by Egyptians to maintain the new southern border of Egypt.

History of Buhen
In the Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BCE), the fortress at Buhen was established. The physical geography of Buhen worked in the benefit of the fortress. The large rock wall provided a strong preliminary base for the construction of the fortress. During the Middle Kingdom, the majority of people occupying Buhen were Egyptians who were directed South from Lower Egypt, and cycled through.

Following the Middle Kingdom, came the Second-Intermediate Period. With the Second-Intermediate Period came the Funerary Stele of Sebek-dedu and Sebek-em-heb. The excavation of the stele produced a new understanding of the annexation of Nubia at the site of Buhen. The stele iterates that the Egyptians that had gained control over Buhen had been dependent on Nubian kings in achieving this.

Fortress
One of the contributing factors for the creation of the fortress in Buhen was the goal of annexing Nubia. Both Senusret I and Senusret III dedicated much of their reign to campaigning into Nubia, in an attempt to extend the boundaries of Egypt. In doing so, the two kings built the fortress in Buhen, along with the other fortresses around the 2nd cataract. These fortresses established a new border for Upper Egypt.

Added Map of Egypt (With location of Buhen relative to other cities) to article. Added picture of funerary Stele.

Copper work at Buhen
After the copper had been smelted, it is likely that it was used for household and agricultural tools, from household knives to hoes for farming.