Little is known about the history of Sudan's southern region, known as Nilotic Sudan, before the beginning of the 19th century. Northern Sudan, however, has a richly varied and well-chronicled history, stretching back into the third millennium BC.
Egyptian dominance of this region probably began during Egypt's Old Kingdom, about 2755-2255BC, when the country was known as Nubia. This area, which stretches from present-day Khartoum to Wadi Halfa, was also known to the Egyptians as the Land of Cush. It served Egypt as a rich source of goods obtained through both trade and plunder. These goods included incense, slaves, gold, ebony, ivory.
By the founding of the 18th Dynasty in 1570BC, Nubia had been reduced to the status of an Egyptian province.
Signs of Ancient Egyptian influence still abound in Northern Sudan, in the shape of numerous ruined temples and other monuments. These are to be found mostly along the banks of the Nile and include the Temple of Amun, situated near present-day Karima.