BY GEOFF EMBERLING, Assistant Research Scientist, Kelsey Museum
We are in the final preparations to return to the archaeological site of El Kurru in northern Sudan for a second field season. We have obtained our permissions from the governments of Sudan and the United States, raised funds, gathered an international group of about 25 archaeologists, and purchased and packed all our trowels, notebooks, and computers.
The site is well known to archaeologists as the burial site of many of the “Black Pharaohs,” kings of Kush who conquered Egypt and ruled as its 25th Dynasty from about 725 to 653 BC. They are mentioned in the Bible because they helped defend Jerusalem against the invading Assyrian army in battles around 701 BC, but it was ultimately the Assyrian army that drove them out of Egypt. Kush, however, continued as the major political power in the Middle Nile valley for another 1,000 years or so. As a result of its importance, El Kurru was designated part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, “Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region.”
It will be an unusually exciting season. One of our teams, directed by Prof. Abbas Sidahmed Zarroug, is working to preserve and protect the royal pyramids. Abbas is a Sudanese archaeologist who grew up in the village of El Kurru, and he has a unique perspective on this cultural heritage. Another team, directed by Prof. Rachael Dann of the University of Copenhagen, will be working around the currently known royal burials to identify non-royal burials or perhaps even royal burials missed by earlier archaeologists.
My team, based at the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan, will be working to excavate the burial chamber of the largest pyramid at the site and to uncover a “mortuary temple” (temple for a dead king) with mysterious underground chambers (see photo above). We are also investigating the royal city around the cemetery by following remains of what we think is a city wall. We are grateful for major funding from the Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project; from the National Geographic Society, who will be sending a film crew to document our work; and from Ms. Kathleen Picken.
Note: Keep up to date with this year’s season at El Kurru by following Geoff Emberling’s blog posts at:
http://elkurrukush.blogspot.com/
It’s incredibly exciting to read about the upcoming second field season at the archaeological site of El Kurru in Sudan. The preparations and efforts taken by the team to return to this historically significant site are truly commendable. The site’s association with the “Black Pharaohs” of Kush, who once ruled Egypt, adds an intriguing dimension to the exploration.
The fact that El Kurru is designated as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area highlights its immense cultural and historical value. The preservation and protection of the royal pyramids, led by Prof. Abbas Sidahmed Zarroug, hold great significance, especially considering his personal connection to the village of El Kurru. His unique perspective and insights are sure to contribute greatly to the understanding and preservation of this cultural heritage.
Additionally, the team directed by Prof. Rachael Dann aims to uncover non-royal burials or potentially identify royal burials that may have been overlooked by previous archaeologists. This pursuit of further knowledge and exploration adds to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the upcoming field season.
The involvement of the team from the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology at the University of Michigan brings additional expertise and resources to the project. The excavation of the burial chamber in the largest pyramid, as well as the investigation of the mysterious underground chambers within the mortuary temple, sound like significant undertakings that have the potential to reveal fascinating discoveries.
The support received from organizations like the Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project and the National Geographic Society, who will be documenting the expedition, demonstrates the recognition of the project’s importance and the enthusiasm it generates. It’s wonderful to see individuals like Ms. Kathleen Picken contributing to the funding, allowing these valuable archaeological endeavors to take place.
I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and curiosity about the discoveries that await the team at El Kurru. The exploration of this ancient site and the unraveling of its hidden secrets have the potential to reshape our understanding of history. I eagerly look forward to following their progress and learning more about the cultural heritage they uncover.
Are there any specific aspects of El Kurru’s history or the upcoming excavation that particularly pique your interest? What do you hope the team will uncover during this field season?