Explore the social dynamics of Nubia’s dramatic emergence into a regional empire with archeologist Stuart Smith through recent archeological discoveries at Tombos at the third cataract of the Nile in Sudanese Nubia. Despite the negative ethnic stereotypes found on Egyptian monuments, archeology shows that Nubians and Egyptian colonists forged a new society in the New Kingdom (about 1500–1070 BC) that eventually came to dominate Egypt and battle the Assyrians (about 747–656 BC). The result of these cultural entanglements was a vibrant civilization that lasted a thousand years with its own unique synthesis of Egyptian and Nubian culture.

Stuart Smith, professor, Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Sunday, April 9, 2017
Barbara W. Herman Memorial Lecture