Digging a royal city. Eight years of Ca' Foscari University of Venice research at Jebel Barkal

Recent excavations at Jebel Barkal, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region, have uncovered significant insights into the urban planning and architectural innovations of King Natakamani (1st century AD). The research, supported by the Qatar-Sudan Archeological Project (QSAP), revealed a vast Meroitic sector integrated with the existing Napatan landscape, demonstrating advanced urban development. Ongoing postdoctoral work focuses on updating documentation and bibliography, while two postgraduate studies analyze plasters, pigments used in palace decoration, and architectural features through comparative analysis. These findings highlight the sophisticated cultural synthesis achieved during Natakamani's reign.

Iannarilli, F., & Pancin, F. (2022). Digging a royal city. Eight years of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice research at Jebel Barkal. Current Research in Nubian Archaeology, 77–88. https://doi.org/10.31826/9781463244552-005