LIB522
The Archaeology of Nubia: Pyramids, Warrior Queens and Kingdoms Along the Nile
Did you know that the greatest number of ancient pyramids lie within the borders of Sudan and not Egypt? Although often overshadowed by ancient Egypt, the powerful Kingdom of Kush and its medieval Nubian successors created unique legacies in art, religion, technology and language that still impact the region of Nubia (northern Sudan) today. We’ll explore the ancient cultures of Nubia through their monuments and the surviving remains of their cities (Kerma, Napata, Meroë and Dongola). We’ll also study fascinating objects found at key archaeological sites and learn more about life in ancient Kushite and Nubian communities.
This course is offered in person.
A $50 discount is available during check-out for adults 55+.
Overview
Location: Vancouver
Duration: 6 weeks
Tuition: $180 plus GST
Can be applied to:
Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate
Upcoming Offerings
- Thu, Feb 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Mar 5, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Mar 12, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Mar 19, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Mar 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
- Thu, Apr 2, 11:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m. Pacific Time (class/lecture)
Course outline
- Week 1: Introduction and life on the ancient Nubian landscape
The River Nile has always been essential to life in eastern Africa—it has shaped the landscape and the course of history! Kush and Nubia begin with the earliest humans in Northeast Africa, alongside the emergence of the Nile Valley. - Week 2: The Kingdom of Kerma
Around 2000 BCE, a city emerged around the third Nile cataract (near modern Dongola, Sudan). Kerma was a vibrant political centre, home to archers, artisans, farmers and even mass human sacrifice. - Week 3: Tangling with Egypt and becoming pharaohs
The cultures and histories of Kush/Nubia and Egypt have been entwined for millennia. Ancient Egypt’s rulers often attempted to control Kush. However, Kushite rulers would eventually conquer Egypt to rule as pharaohs of the 25th Dynasty (ca. 750-650 BCE). - Week 4: Napata and the Kushite pyramids
Although no longer kings of Egypt, the Kushite rulers of the Napatan Period (656-270 BCE) possessed a thriving kingdom. The archaeology of Napata, the capital city, boasts exquisite artworks, finely painted tombs and royal pyramid fields. - Week 5: The royal city of Meroë
The Kushite capital moved south to Meroë in 270 BCE. This new royal city prospered as a major centre of iron production. Meroë’s kandakes (or queens) were very powerful, resisting military defeat by Alexander the Great and other would-be conquerors. - Week 6: Medieval and modern Nubia
Around 350 CE, the Meroitic kingdom was replaced by the medieval Christian kingdoms of Alodia, Makuria, Nobatia and the Blemmyes. These multi-ethnic kingdoms flourished for seven centuries. Today, the cultures of modern Sudan and southern Egypt reflect this diverse history.
What you will learn
By the end of the course, you should be able to:
- Summarize the general history of ancient Nubia
- Describe the important archaeological sites in Nubia
- Explain the significance of Nubia’s relationship with Egypt
How you will learn
- Lectures
- Participating in class activities
- Reading academic and non-academic articles/book chapters
- Viewing films
- Engaging in class and online discussion forums
- Reflective essay (applicable only to certificate students)
Learning Materials
No textbook is required. We will provide all course materials online.
Technical Requirements
For online courses, you will need a computer with audio and microphone that is connected to the internet. Canvas is the online system that will be used for the course. For more information and online support, visit Online Learning.
Handouts and other course resources will be available on Canvas, SFU’s online learning system.
To access the resources, you should be comfortable with:
- Using everyday software such as browsers, email and social media
- Navigating a website by clicking on links and finding pages in a menu
- Downloading and opening PDF documents