Publications
Holocene Nile dynamics shaped the physical and cultural landscape of ancient Nubia
Research reveals that the Nile River's response to Holocene climate change, particularly its stabilization near Jebel Barkal during the Late Holocene, played a pivotal role in shaping ancient Nubia's landscape and cultural development. The study found that while the Early-Middle Holocene period saw significant valley incision, around 4,000 years ago, floodplain buildup occurred due to changing rainfall and river flow patterns. This stability, combined with Jebel Barkal's natural prominence, fostered enduring settlement and ritual activity in Napata, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its pyramids, temples, and palaces, which flourished from 1070 BCE to 350 CE. The findings were derived from 26 sediment cores analyzed using optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon dating, supplemented by pottery typology and other chronological constraints.
Three Ostraca from Jebel Barkal: Problems of Text and Context
Three newly analyzed ostraca from Jebel Barkal, Sudan, offer rare insights into Meroitic inscriptions, challenging assumptions about the site's epigraphic record. Unlike the well-studied Natakamani Stele, these fragmentary texts—discovered between 1973 and 2026 at Building B2200 (the 'Edifice of the Basins')—reveal nuanced linguistic and contextual complexities, suggesting a more dynamic epigraphic tradition than previously recognized. The analysis employs comparative textual and archaeological methods to reconstruct meanings while addressing gaps in preservation and interpretation. These findings highlight the importance of minor inscriptions in understanding Meroitic culture and the site's historical significance.
Community-Engaged Archaeology at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jebel Barkal, Sudan
A collaborative, de-colonial approach to heritage conservation at Jebel Barkal, Sudan, has successfully integrated local communities and international experts to address challenges in protecting a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This study highlights the effectiveness of community-engaged archaeology in balancing sustainable tourism with cultural preservation, despite operating in a conflict-prone region. The research emphasizes co-directed efforts by Sudanese and Western professionals, ensuring that conservation strategies are both culturally sensitive and scientifically rigorous. Key achievements include the development of comprehensive management and conservation plans, as well as innovative community engagement initiatives that foster long-term stewardship.
Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Napatan Region and Gebel El-Barkal
Local communities' intangible cultural heritage offers a counterpoint to official narratives at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gebel El-Barkal, revealing complex, lived meanings that transcend global and national symbolism. Through ethnographic and phenomenological methods, this study demonstrates how ethnicity, religion, social class, gender, and age shape diverse community perspectives on heritage—often in tension with authorized discourses. The findings challenge elite-driven heritage management, advocating for inclusive, bottom-up approaches that integrate local knowledge systems while preserving global significance.
The End of the Egyptian New Kingdom in Colonial Nubia: New Perspectives on Sociocultural Transformations in the Middle Nile
New archaeological evidence from the Attab to Ferka region in Sudan challenges the notion of a 'Dark Age' following Egypt's colonial rule over Nubia. Remote sensing, surveys, and excavations reveal continued occupation between 1070 and 750 BCE, highlighting local resilience and innovation. Studies of settlement patterns and ceramics provide insights into sociocultural transformations during this period, complicating the traditional understanding of secondary states' emergence in Sudan. This research underscores the significance of previously marginalized regions in shaping cultural dynamics during the first millennium BCE.
Imperial Art: Duality on Tanwetamani’s Dream Stela
A striking dualistic motif on the Dream Stela of Kushite king Tanwetamani, commissioned in the 7th century BCE and housed in the Amun Temple of Jebel Barkal, reveals a sophisticated political ideology. The lunette's back-to-back offering scenes, though nearly symmetrical at first glance, differ subtly to symbolize the 'Double Kingdom' of Kush and Egypt under Tanwetamani's rule. This 'Mirrored Motif' encapsulates the duality central to Kushite kingship during the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty, reconciling imperial expansion with Nubian-Egyptian history. The study analyzes iconographic and textual features to uncover this motif's rhetorical function, demonstrating its role in advancing Kushite imperial propaganda.
The Evidence of Osiris Lord of Neheh-Eternity in Amun Temple B 700 at the Sacred Town of Gebel Barkal, Sudan
A previously unattested Osirian hymn, linked to the solarized form of Osiris and associated with the local deity Dedwen, has been identified within reused blocks from Amun Temple B 700 in Gebel Barkal, Sudan. This fragmented text represents the first such hymn found in Kush, offering a critical comparative point against its integral version discovered in Thebes. The analysis explores the cult's origins and significance, suggesting a syncretic religious practice rooted in Nubian traditions. The study employs epigraphic and textual analysis to reconstruct and interpret the hymn's content, providing new insights into the religious landscape of the Napatan Kingdom (713–290 BCE).
Gematon: Living and Dying in a Kushite Town on the Nile, Volume III
A comprehensive catalogue of pottery from the site of Kawa, Northern Dongola Reach, reveals unique insights into the daily life and burial practices of the Kushite civilization during the Napatan and Meroitic periods. The study, based on excavations conducted between 1997 and 2018 by the Sudan Archaeological Research Society, meticulously documents pottery forms, decoration, marks, and fabric, providing a contextualized collection that sheds light on activity patterns in this region. Notably, it includes a detailed analysis of Napatan amphorae from Building F1 and cemetery remains at R18, contributing significantly to our understanding of this understudied period.
Review of Ein Zeugnis des fruhen kuschitischen Konigtums: Die Stele SNM 1851 vom Jebel Barkal
A significant archaeological discovery at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gebel Barkal, part of the Napatan Region, reveals new insights into early Kushite royalty through the analysis of Stèle SNM 1851. This stele, dating back to the early Kushite kingdom, provides unprecedented evidence of royal inscriptions and artistic styles, contributing to a deeper understanding of the political and cultural dynamics of the period. The study employs a meticulous examination of the stele's epigraphy and iconography, offering a detailed reconstruction of its historical context. This research bridges gaps in our knowledge of early Kushite monarchs and their symbolic representations, enriching the archaeological record of the region.
Sumbangan Peradapan Mesir Kuno Bagi Kehidupan Di Dunia
Ancient Egypt, one of the world's most advanced civilizations, thrived along the Nile from the 2nd century BC during its New Kingdom period, extending its influence to regions including Jebel Barkal. This civilization is renowned for monumental achievements like the pyramids and its rich historical legacy, which continues to shape global knowledge today. The study examines Egypt's enduring contributions, highlighting its cultural, architectural, and historical significance that persists in modern research and discovery. By analyzing ancient Egyptian artifacts and historical records, this work underscores how their innovations and narratives remain pivotal in understanding human development.
“The Work Is His God”: Gebel Barkal, el-Kurru, and Meroe
Excavations at Gebel Barkal, el-Kurru, and Meroe revealed significant archaeological discoveries, including pyramid burial chambers, foundation deposits, jewelry, and royal horse grave burials adorned with faience trappings. Notably, the painted burial chambers of Queen Qalhata and King Tanwetamani provided unexpected insights into Nubian royal practices during the Twenty-fifth Dynasty. The expedition also uncovered a stela of Queen Tabiry, initially misread as evidence of Libyan connections, and the undeciphered Meroitic inscription of King Tanyidamani. Additionally, a Hellenistic rhyton signed by Athenian potter Sotades was found at Meroe. These findings shed light on the cultural and historical significance of these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A Mystery Solved: The Nubian Pyramids of Gebel Barkal and Nuri
A groundbreaking discovery by Reisner’s Nubian excavations solved the long-standing mystery of locating entrances to Nubian pyramids, which were traditionally positioned with sloping stairways outside the structures. This method was successfully applied across multiple pyramid sites, including Nuri and el-Kurru, leading to the uncovering of significant tomb treasures belonging to kings such as Aspelta (Nuri) and Taharqa (el-Kurru). Additionally, Gebel Barkal yielded a cache of colossal statues of Nubian kings. The research also documented historical challenges faced during excavations, including a fatal accident at Nuri Pyramid 5 and the impact of World War I on ongoing work.
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.
Rejected pottery in Gebel Barkal: Revisiting the localisation of ceramic workshops in the Kingdom of Meroe (Sudan)
A significant pottery dump at Gebel Barkal, covering over 9500 square meters, provides evidence of ceramic workshops linked to the Great Temple of Amun during the Kingdom of Meroe (3rd–1st centuries B.C.). The highest concentration of rejected bread moulds—showing deformation, cracking, and melting—was found in the northwestern part, suggesting the workshop's proximity. These moulds, along with fragments of a Hellenized krater, indicate temple bakeries' extensive bread production for staff and pilgrims. This discovery refines our understanding of ceramic production and temple economy in ancient Sudan.
Archaeological works to the north of the Great Amun temple at Jebel Barkal (Sudan): preliminary results and new perspectives
Recent archaeological excavations at Jebel Barkal, Sudan, have uncovered a monumental foundation platform linked to elite Meroitic structure B 1700, likely constructed during the reign of King Natakamani (1st century AD). The findings suggest that B 1700 adhered to the classic Meroitic square plan, featuring central columned spaces and distinct functional areas across multiple floors. Analysis of brick masonry, earlier occupation layers, and later activities, including a significant pottery dump used in the platform's fill, provides insights into the site's construction process and its role within the broader temple complex. This research significantly contributes to understanding Napata's development as a political and economic center during the Classic Meroitic period, with implications for reconstructing the history of Jebel Barkal's royal and religious zones.
Jebel Barkal
Jebel Barkal, a hill central to ancient Napata, was discovered to be the residence of Kamutef, a primeval aspect of Amun of Karnak, depicted as a ram-headed man. This revelation led to its association with the birthplace of the 'royal ka,' prompting pharaohs to build Luxor Temple at Thebes as a ritual substitute for Amun's temple in Napata. The Egyptian belief that kingship originated from Amun of Karnak was later revived by Kushite kings during the 25th Dynasty, who used this connection to claim Egyptian kingship. This study synthesizes current knowledge on Jebel Barkal's historical and religious significance, incorporating recent archaeological findings.
The Amun Cult and Its Development in Nubia
Research reveals that the worship of Amun, particularly in his ram-headed form, was more prominent in Nubia following Egypt's New Kingdom conquest. Contrary to previous assumptions, Amun's significance in Nubian religion appears to have been overstated. As a solarized deity, Amun functioned as both a national and universal god, serving as the protector of Kushite kingship. His cult spread through the religious assimilation of the Kushite elite into Egyptian beliefs. Amun was primarily associated with Karnak but also revered at sacred sites like Napata, Pnubs, Kawa, Sanam, and Tara, often accompanied by deities such as Mut, Khonsu, Satis, and Anukis. The study examines his evolving forms—man, ram, bull, goose—and challenges earlier interpretations of his Nubian influence.
The Conception of the Archaeological Park in El-Zuma
El-Zuma, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region,' showcases unique burial traditions that represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. The cemetery's significance lies in its distinctive Early Meroitic inhumation practices, which mark a cultural shift in Nubian burial customs. This site, along with four others spanning 60 km, embodies the rich heritage of the Napatan and Meroitic cultures from the second Kingdom of Kush, inscribed for criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (vi). The study highlights the exceptional testimony of these sites to ancient civilizations, their unique typology, and their role in reviving Egyptian religious values. The research emphasizes the architectural ensembles' outstanding examples, including rock-cut burials, temples, pyramids, and funerary chapels, which collectively contribute to understanding the region's historical landscape.
The Lower Torso of a Granite Royal Statue from Duweym Wad Haj
Archaeologists have uncovered the lower torso of a life-size royal statue at Duweym Wad Haj, a site potentially significant to the historical route between Gebel Barkal and Meroe via the Bayuda Desert. The statue, carved from granite and depicting a king seated on a rectangular throne, appears unfinished due to a crack in the stone, suggesting it may have been abandoned mid-creation. While no inscriptions were found on the back pillar, the discovery hints at the possible existence of a Kushite-period sculpture workshop at Duweym or indicates that stone material was transported from other sites like Sanam, Ghazali, or Gebel Barkal. The finding sheds light on ancient craftsmanship and trade practices in the region.
The Napatan Neo-Kushite State 1
Recent research reveals the resilience and transformation of the Napatan Neo-Kushite State, marking a pivotal period in Nubian history. Following the decline of Egyptian authority around 750 BCE, Kush consolidated its power under rulers like Kashta and Piankhy, who expanded their influence into Egypt without conflict. This era witnessed the revival of monumental civilization, characterized by royal sculptures, inscriptions, palatial architecture, and a thriving trading center near Gebel Barkal. However, Assyrian aggression eventually led to the downfall of Kushite ambitions, replaced by the Saite dynasty. The study highlights the naturalization of Egyptian institutions during this transition, as evidenced by the inscription of Queen Katimala, and underscores the enduring legacy of Kushite-Egyptian state despite external pressures.
Working Together: Community, Conservation, and Preservation Strategies for Royal Painted Tombs at El-Kurru, Sudan
Collaborative conservation strategies for the royal painted tombs of Queen Qalhata and King Tanwetamani at El-Kurru, Sudan, demonstrate how community engagement and material analysis can enhance long-term preservation while improving visitor access. The study, part of the International Kurru Archaeology Project, developed sustainable treatment plans tailored to the remote site's constraints, prioritizing locally available materials and stakeholder input for rapid yet durable implementation. These efforts aim to stabilize the tombs, ensure safety, and serve as a model for future heritage conservation in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Gebel Barkal.
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