Why Nubia? What comes to mind if Ancient Africa is mentioned? Early Man?Endless Desert?The Pyramids? King Tut?

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!

Two of these (the civilizations of Kerma and Napata/Meroe) were located in Nubia in the modern nation of Sudan.

The study of Ancient Nubia, especially in the US, is primarily treated as an adjunct to Egyptian history, and those parts that don’t directly involve Egypt are rarely covered. Even institutions like the University of Chicago, which has done much fieldwork in the area, don’t teach it as a separate subject. Filling a Vacuum

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 doesn’t often get covered adequately). It also doesn’t 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.

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

Purpose of Project This project seeks to bring together these disparate disciplines to offer a single interdisciplinary course on the topic of Ancient Nubia.

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.

Project Home Page

Part One: Explorations Example 1

Part One: Explorations Example 2

The Experts

The Academic Course

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.

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

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.

Questions?