Archaeologists find ancient Nubian faience workshop at Napata temple complex
A team led by Durham University and New York University researchers uncovered a faience workshop at the Sanam temple complex in Napata, Sudan, during excavations of the site built by King Taharqo in the seventh century B.C.
Excavation reveals specialized production area
The investigators uncovered the physical remains of a faience workshop located within the major temple complex. This discovery provides direct evidence of how rulers of ancient Kush utilized specialized craft production to reinforce royal power.
Study challenges views on Kushite state
Dr Rennan Lemos from Durham University notes that recent scholarship increasingly challenges older views portraying Kush simply as a copy of Egypt. The study published in the journal Antiquity addresses important questions about how the Kushite state controlled resources and labor.
Workshop links craft to authority
The findings show that Nubia was arguably just as important as Ancient Egypt despite receiving less attention from scholars for centuries. The research team included Dr Kathryn Howley from New York University alongside other investigators working at the site.
Reported by one outlet
Only one outlet has published this. Nothing here has been checked against a second report, so read it as that outlet's account and follow the link below for the original.
Reported by
1 independent outlet. Headline as published. Links open the original report.