5th century – 7th century
Central Nubia
Makuria was a Nubian kingdom that emerged south of Nobadia in the sixth century, with Old Dongola as its capital. It occupied central Nubia and developed a substantial Christian monumental tradition, including churches and a royal palace. Makuria initially adopted orthodox Melkite Christianity through a mission sent by Emperor Justinian, but between 660 and 700 it also adopted the Monophysite doctrine.
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The Story
A second Nubian kingdom emerged in the sixth century south of Nobadia, extending toward ancient Meroe. Its capital was Old Dongola, called Dungula in Arabic, and the kingdom later became known as Makuria, or Muqurra in Arabic. By the end of the sixth century, Nubia consisted of three Christian kingdoms: Nobadia in the north, Makuria in the centre, and Alodia in the south.
Archaeological excavations at Old Dongola identified four churches and a Christian royal palace. One church dates from the end of the seventh or beginning of the eighth century and was built above an earlier church of unbaked bricks. The earlier building had five naves and sixteen granite columns between five and twenty metres high, indicating the monumental importance of Old Dongola.
Makuria was initially converted to orthodox Melkite Christianity by a mission sent by Emperor Justinian between 567 and 570. Between 660 and 700, however, the Makurites also adopted the Monophysite doctrine. This later change placed Makuria within the broader confessional reorientation that affected Christian Nubia.
5th century – 7th century
Central Nubia
Makuria was a Nubian kingdom that emerged south of Nobadia in the sixth century, with Old Dongola as its capital. It occupied central Nubia and developed a substantial Christian monumental tradition, including churches and a royal palace. Makuria initially adopted orthodox Melkite Christianity through a mission sent by Emperor Justinian, but between 660 and 700 it also adopted the Monophysite doctrine.
Continue exploring
The Story
A second Nubian kingdom emerged in the sixth century south of Nobadia, extending toward ancient Meroe. Its capital was Old Dongola, called Dungula in Arabic, and the kingdom later became known as Makuria, or Muqurra in Arabic. By the end of the sixth century, Nubia consisted of three Christian kingdoms: Nobadia in the north, Makuria in the centre, and Alodia in the south.
Archaeological excavations at Old Dongola identified four churches and a Christian royal palace. One church dates from the end of the seventh or beginning of the eighth century and was built above an earlier church of unbaked bricks. The earlier building had five naves and sixteen granite columns between five and twenty metres high, indicating the monumental importance of Old Dongola.
Makuria was initially converted to orthodox Melkite Christianity by a mission sent by Emperor Justinian between 567 and 570. Between 660 and 700, however, the Makurites also adopted the Monophysite doctrine. This later change placed Makuria within the broader confessional reorientation that affected Christian Nubia.
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