Ancient Nubia Now

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

NOW CLOSED

Shawabty of King Taharqa
(690–664 BC), Nubia. Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

This survey charts the changing fortunes of Nubian civilisation over a period of more than 3,000 years, from the early kingdom centred on the city of Kerma in the 3rd millennium BC to the cosmopolitan city of Meroe in late antiquity. It considers why Nubia, by comparison with its neighbour, Egypt, remains so little understood, and explores the history of modern archaeology in the Nile Valley with a display of archival documents. Find out more from the MFA Boston’s website.

Preview the exhibition below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Vessel in the shape of a bound oryx (early 7th century BC), Nubia.

Miniature dagger (1700–1550 BC), Nubia. Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Vessel in the shape of a bound oryx (early 7th century BC), Nubia.

Vessel in the shape of a bound oryx (early 7th century BC), Nubia. Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Pendant with ram-headed sphinx (743–712 BC), Nubia.

Pendant with ram-headed sphinx (743–712 BC), Nubia. Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Statue of Lady Sennuwy (1971–1926 BC), Egyptian.

Statue of Lady Sennuwy (1971–1926 BC), Egyptian. Photo: © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Statue of Lady Sennuwy emerging at Kerma.

Statue of Lady Sennuwy emerging at Kerma. Photographer: Mohammedani Ibrahim Ibrahim; courtesy MFA Boston