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Painted wood. Middle Kingdom
Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
These model Nubian soldiers (Medjay) were buried about 2000 BC in the 11th Dynasty tomb of Mesehti, the governor of Asyut. In total there are 40 archers and 40 spearmen – a military force that he could call upon during his life, and an impressive escort into his afterlife. Nubian mercenaries began working in Egypt in the late Old Kingdom, were formalized as auxiliary troops in the Middle Kingdom, and institutionalized as elite (paramilitary) police in the New Kingdom.
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