The archaeological site of Sedeinga is located in Sudan, a hundred kilometers to the north of the third cataract of the Nile, on the river's western shore. Known especially for being home to the ruins of the Egyptian temple of Queen Tiye, the royal wife of Amenhotep III, the site also includes a large necropolis containing sepulchers dating from the kingdoms of Napata and Mereo (seventh century BCE-fourth century CE), a civilization [1] mixing local traditions and Egyptian influences.
Aerial photo of the dig in December 2017 [Credit: Vincent Francigny/Sedeinga Archaeological Mission] |
The necropolis of Sedeinga stretches across more than twenty-five hectares and is home to the vestiges of at least eighty brick pyramids and over a hundred tombs, dating from the kingdoms of Napata and Meroe (seventh century BCE-fourth century CE). The research programs carried out since 2009 [3] have focused on the chronology of the construction of this necropolis, which is difficult as there is very little remaining historical information on this civilization.
The funerary chapel surround, depicting the goddess Maat dating from the second century CE [Credit: Vincent Francigny/Sedeinga Archaeological Mission] |
Stele in the name of Lady Maliwarase [Credit: Claude Rilly/Sedeinga Archaeological Mission] |
The archaeologists have also unearthed a lintel inscribed with four lines of text describing the owner of the sepulcher, another great lady, Adatalabe. She hailed from an illustrious lineage that included a royal prince, a member of the reigning family of Meroe. These two steles written for high-ranking women are not isolated examples in Sedeinga. In Meroitic society, it was indeed women who embodied the prestige of a family and passed on its heritage.
Funerary chapel lintel. The four lines of text describe the owner, Lady Adatalabe [Credit: Vincent Francigny/Sedeinga Archaeological Mission] |
Notes
[1] The kingdoms of Napata and Meroe formed one and the same civilization, known as the "Kush kingdom" by their ancient Egyptian neighbors.
[2] The director of the mission, Claude Rilly, is a CNRS researcher at the Langage, Langues et Cultures d'Afrique Noire laboratory (CNRS/Inalco). He is co-leading this mission with Vincent Francigny, director of the SFDAS (MEAE). This research has been funded by the excavation commission of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the Orient et Méditerranée -- Textes-Archéologie-Histoire laboratory (CNRS/Sorbonne Université/Université Panthéon-Sorbonne/EPHE/Collège de France). The campaign carried out between November, 14 and December 19, 2017, the last to date, was awarded the Fondation Jean et Marie-Thérèse Leclant prize.
[3] Excavation work on the site began in 1963 and recommenced in 2009. It will continue until 2020 and is divided into three four-year plans, the last of which began in November 2017.
Source: CNRS [March 05, 2018]