Class Notes on Tarhaco and the Nubian Kingdoms

Time Period: Focus on Tarhaco and the Nubian kingdoms during the Iron Age. Transition from the Twenty-Seventh Dynasty in the Hellenistic period to the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty (pre-Achaemenid period).
Historical Context: Shifting background from the Late Period back to the Third Intermediate Period, with future classes addressing the Roman and Hellenistic periods.

Recap of Previous Class: Review of the Amarna period (Tutankhamun) and the significance of Aesthetics in Akhenaten’s period.
Assignments Reminder: ISAC and SEM worksheets due next week.

Indigeneity Questions: Discussion on when Nubians were foreign to Egypt versus when they were regarded as indigenous to Nubia and Lower Nubia.
Historical Continuity: Examination of Nubia’s expansion and state formation, particularly in Southern Nubia during the period after the Old Kingdom and the pre-New Kingdom era.

Kerma and Duquigal:
- Kerma: Excavation led by Charles Bonnet since the 1970s, significant archaeological site indicative of Nubian civilization.
- Duquigal: Work began after 2000 by Charles Bonnet, both cities adjacent to each other, showcasing different architectural styles despite contemporaneity.
Geomagnetic Surveys: Evidence pointing towards Duquigal being a larger settlement than originally perceived, with significant architectural features being uncovered.

Karma's Palace vs. Duquigal's Palace:
- Comparison of architectural styles, with Kerma representing indigenous Nubian styles while Duquigal demonstrates influences possibly from external regions such as the Chad Basin.
- Examination of unique building techniques, including the construction methods used in the late Kerma period characterized by mud architectural forms.

Gap in Comparative Archaeology: Limitations in comparing Nubian architecture with contemporaneous forms from the Chad Basin, raising questions regarding the influences and migrations of people from different regions into Nubia.

New Kingdom and Egyptian Influence: The continuation of Duquigal through the New Kingdom and adaptations of architectural styles by Egyptian conquerors, reflecting deep interactions between Egyptian and Nubian cultures.

Sudanic Kingship vs. Pharaonic Kingship:
- Differences in governance and resource allocation in Nubian societies, influencing territorial sovereignty and authority.
- Lack of large agricultural surpluses in Nubia compared to Egypt, impacting state structure and temple-building initiatives.
Historical Textual Evidence: Limited Meroitic language texts complicate the understanding of political structures during this period, with most texts being in Egyptian.

Jebel Barkal: Dominant ceremonial center with roots in sacred ceremonial architecture, representing a fusion of indigenous beliefs and imported Egyptian traditions.
- Examination of the sacred significance of the pinnacle and its representations in architecture and rites.
Neolithic and New Kingdom Deities: Examination of ubiquitous worship of Amun and his representations shifting in local contexts compared to Egypt.

Iconographic Analysis of Tarhaco: Observations of Tarhaco’s representations in different contexts, showcasing similarities and nuances in artistic styles between Nubian and Egyptian representations.
- Comparison of Tarhaco's temple architecture and iconography in Karnak and Ka'wa, revealing regional representations of power and identity.

Hybidity and Mimicry in Art and Identity:
- Discussion of identity constructs reflecting both local and Egyptian elements in artistic depictions.
- Theories from Homi Bhabha centering on hybridity signify transitions in identity, urging examination of fluid borders between what is Nubian versus Egyptian.

Universality of Egyptian Influence: Engage in representations of Nubian figures in artistic traditions as reflections of both imperial influence and self-identity.
Archaeological Future: Emphasis on continued archaeological work, needing further exploration for a better understanding of Nubia’s historical and cultural influence on surrounding regions.