Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the Nile at the NCMA
This fall the NCMA is proud to present Ancient Nubia: Excavating Treasures of the Nile, from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on view through January 10, 2027. Organized by the MFA, Boston, this exhibition allows visitors to step into the boots of an archaeologist and discover an almost forgotten ancient Kingdom of Kush, a once powerful rival to Egypt.
The show explores 3,000 years of Nubian art, history, and innovation through extraordinary jewelry, pottery, sculpture, and metal work. Highlighting the three major periods of the Kingdom of Kush—Kerma, Napatan, and Meroitic—the exhibition presents Nubia as a powerful and complex ancient civilization with distinctive political structure, artistic traditions, and cultural legacy.
The NCMA is the last stop for this touring exhibition and the only museum on the tour with a staff Nubiologist who digs in Sudan—Caroline Rocheleau, PhD, director of research and curator of ancient collections—whose expertise brings a unique, archaeological perspective to the show for the first time.
With innovative interpretations and experiences that invite adventure, visitors can engage with Nubian art, history, and archaeological practice through the following themes:
Discovery: Upon entering, visitors can visualize Nubia in space and time thanks to immersive murals, a map, and a timeline; learn more about archaeology and Nubiology; and understand why the Kushite royal family adopted and adapted Egyptian styles, rituals, and material culture. Before being sent off to explore the treasures within, visitors are introduced to five powerful Kushite kings.
History: A wide range of jewelry, pottery, sculpture, and art is grouped into three major periods of Kushite history: Kerma (circa 2500–1550 bce), Napatan (circa 760-332 bce), and Meroitic (circa 332 bce–364 ce). Each period shows unique traits that truly distinguish the Kushites from their northern neighbors, but there is continuity among them over millennia. Set against rich, dark plum-colored walls and dramatic lighting, objects beckon visitors for close examination and shine in more ways than one, like the Winged Isis pectoral, which symbolizes divine protection.
Exploration: There are many opportunities for visitors to dig deeper (literally) into this almost forgotten kingdom. Grab a brush and play in our Digital Dig, where you can uncover parts of a statue of King Tanwetamani. Who knows what else you’ll find? Explore a re-creation of the tomb of King Tanwetamani, dive into an archaeologist’s early 20th-century field notes about this royal monument, and write your own impressions in a dig diary.
Finally, the NCMA’s Teen Art’s Council created several activities as well. Want to test your knowledge of Nubia? We’ve got a crossword puzzle. Feeling artistic? Make your own magnetic amulet and snap a photo of it. Enjoy two different audio tours, one audio described tour and another in which the NCMA Teens Art Council interview the NCMA’s Nubiologist. Relax and reflect on what you discover in beautifully crafted Sudanese furniture in our Nubian Lounge.
Through a unique archaeological perspective, immersive experiences, and rich educational activities, this exhibition sends visitors on a mission to uncover and add more to the discoveries of what is known about this complex and powerful kingdom.
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