Why Nubia? What comes to mind if Ancient Africa is mentioned?
Early Man?Endless Desert?The Pyramids? King Tut?
Slide 3
Usually only Egypt, although there were several other major
civilizations in Ancient Africa, both indigenous and colonial (such
as Carthage, a colony of the Phoenicians). Relief from the temple
of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, surprisingly in Nubia!
Slide 4
Two of these (the civilizations of Kerma and Napata/Meroe) were
located in Nubia in the modern nation of Sudan.
Slide 5
The study of Ancient Nubia, especially in the US, is primarily
treated as an adjunct to Egyptian history, and those parts that
dont directly involve Egypt are rarely covered. Even institutions
like the University of Chicago, which has done much fieldwork in
the area, dont teach it as a separate subject. Filling a
Vacuum
Slide 6
Areas of Interest The study of Ancient Nubia is on the fringes
of a variety of subject areas covered by various academic
departments at universities (which is part of the reason it doesnt
often get covered adequately). It also doesnt help that the native
language used by these people for writing has not been deciphered,
except of for things like names. There has been no Rosetta Stone
found.
Slide 7
Academic Departments Departments which touch on the topics of
Ancient Nubia: Classical & Near Eastern Studies History
Anthropology/Archaeology Art History Egyptology (where offered)
African Studies
Slide 8
Purpose of Project This project seeks to bring together these
disparate disciplines to offer a single interdisciplinary course on
the topic of Ancient Nubia.
Slide 9
Design of Project The project is designed in three parts: A
part meant to attract interest in the subject with short textual
and video presentations about topics related to the field. A part
designed as an online or partially online academic course on the
subject for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. A series
of video presentations by experts from around the world.
Slide 10
Project Home Page
http://www.earlheinrich.com/Ancient%20Nubia/Index.html
Slide 11
Part One: Explorations Example 1
http://www.earlheinrich.com/Ancient%20Nubia/Harkhuf.html
Slide 12
Part One: Explorations Example 2
http://www.earlheinrich.com/Ancient%20Nubia/Necho.html
Slide 13
The Experts
http://www.earlheinrich.com/Ancient%20Nubia/_Private/Index.html
Slide 14
The Academic Course
https://moodle2.umn.edu/course/view.php?id=8838
Slide 15
Origins/Inspiration for Project This project has been a idea of
mine for a number of years now. When initially thought up it was
felt that it would need to have materials from a wide variety of
sources, as I had seen none that addressed the entirety of the
subject. Now, with materials available online and a book that does
cover the whole period it seems more feasible.
Slide 16
Challenges There are a number of challenges involved in
developing and implementing this project: Getting enough
appropriate quality video for video presentations Finding
appropriate materials for assignments Getting the involvement of
the Experts, who are busy and elsewhere Implementing
interdepartmental and inter- institutional cooperation with
creating and launching the project
Slide 17
Outcomes Promote interest in the topic through the Expeditions
portion. Advance knowledge and awareness of the topic. Increase
scholarship in the subject in the US and English-speaking
countries. Attract international conference on the subject to
US/Canada. Foster interdepartmental and inter- institutional
co-operation.
