Nubian Antiquities: A Source of Pride for Sudan’s Founding Project
and a National Heritage and Tour

09:48 PM November, 13 2026

Sudanese Online
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Dr. Ahmed Eltigani Sidahmed
Founding Leader, Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS)
Rome, Italy — 9 November 2026
1. Introduction: A Civilisation Beyond Modern Political Borders
Nubian antiquities are far more than pyramids, temples and silent stones. They are the material record of a civilisation whose history reaches across the Nile Valley and long predates the modern borders of Sudan and Egypt. The kingdoms of ancient Nubia developed distinctive political institutions, religious traditions, artistic achievements and commercial networks. Their legacy is an essential part of Sudan’s historical identity and a source of pride for present and future generations.
For Sudan, protecting this heritage is not simply an archaeological responsibility. It is also a national task: to restore historical knowledge, strengthen cultural identity, support local communities and build a sustainable cultural-tourism economy. A founding project for a new Sudan must recognise the country’s diverse civilisational roots, including the central place of Nubia in its history.
2. Nubian Heritage and Its International Recognition
Nubian history has attracted sustained international scholarly attention. Archaeological collections in museums around the world preserve objects recovered from sites across the Nile Valley, while research institutions have helped document the extraordinary range of Nubian material culture. In Boston, the Museum of Fine Arts has played a significant role in presenting the results of archaeological work in Sudan and in bringing Nubian history to wider audiences.
The excavations associated with George A. Reisner and the Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts expedition, conducted in Nubia during the early twentieth century, contributed substantially to the documentation of ancient sites and artefacts. More recently, exhibitions such as “Ancient Nubia Now,” presented by the Museum of Fine Arts in 2019, have helped audiences reconsider Nubia as a major centre of African history rather than a marginal extension of the histories of neighbouring states.
The renaming of Dudley Square in Boston as Nubian Square in December 2019 was another public recognition of Nubian heritage and the contributions of Nubian communities. Educational initiatives, museum programmes and visits by schoolchildren can help ensure that this history is not confined to academic institutions but becomes part of a living public understanding.
3. The International Campaign to Save Nubian Monuments
The construction of the Aswan High Dam led to the flooding of large areas of ancient Nubia and the displacement of Nubian communities. In response to the threat to archaeological monuments, UNESCO launched an international campaign in 1960 to safeguard important sites. The campaign became one of the most prominent examples of international cooperation to protect cultural heritage.
Several monuments were dismantled and relocated, while others were documented or excavated before the waters rose. The Temple of Debod, now located in Madrid, is one visible reminder of this international effort. These achievements should be recognised, but they must also be understood alongside the profound human consequences of displacement for Nubian communities.
The lesson is that heritage protection must include people as well as monuments. Archaeological conservation, community rights, access to ancestral lands and the preservation of living cultural traditions should be treated as connected responsibilities.
4. The Heritage Question During the Bashir Regime
The protection and interpretation of Nubian heritage in Sudan have also been shaped by political choices. During the Bashir era, communities in the north and other historically marginalised regions repeatedly raised concerns about neglect, land rights, cultural representation and the treatment of archaeological sites. Such concerns deserve serious public examination rather than dismissal.
There have also been allegations and public claims concerning the transfer or sale of Sudanese antiquities abroad, including references to Qatar and Turkey, as well as concerns about political influence over historical narratives and research. These claims should not be presented as established facts without independently verifiable evidence. They do, however, underline the need for transparent records, professional investigations and full public accountability.
A future Sudanese authority should commission an independent review of the management of archaeological sites and collections, document the movement of antiquities, and pursue the recovery of any objects shown to have been unlawfully removed. The objective must be truth, accountability and the protection of the national heritage—not the politicisation of archaeology.
5. Faras: A Remarkable Chapter of Christian Nubian Art
The ancient city of Faras, in what is now northern Sudan, was one of the most important centres of Christian Nubia. Its cathedral contained an exceptional cycle of wall paintings depicting biblical figures, saints, bishops and other subjects. The paintings provide invaluable evidence of the artistic traditions, religious life and political culture of the medieval Nubian kingdoms.
During the international campaign to save Nubian monuments, the cathedral paintings were carefully documented and removed before the area was inundated. Important collections are now preserved in institutions in Warsaw and Khartoum. Their survival is a major achievement of conservation, but it also creates a continuing responsibility to make this heritage accessible to Sudanese people.
A visit to the collections in Warsaw offers a powerful reminder of the sophistication of Nubian Christian art and of the international cooperation that helped preserve it. Sudan should build stronger educational and cultural links with the institutions holding these works, while ensuring that the history of Faras remains firmly rooted in the public history of Sudan.
6. Charles Bonnet and the Archaeology of Kerma
The work of the Swiss archaeologist Charles Bonnet has made a major contribution to understanding the ancient kingdom of Kerma. Decades of excavation and research have revealed the scale and complexity of this early Nubian state, including its monumental architecture, urban organisation, craftsmanship and political importance.
The Western Deffufa, one of the most striking monuments at Kerma, stands as a powerful testimony to the architectural and cultural achievements of ancient Nubia. Kerma should be recognised as a central chapter in the history of Sudan and of the wider African continent. Continued research, site protection and interpretation for visitors can help translate this outstanding archaeological resource into educational and economic opportunities.
7. Old Dongola: A Discovery That Expands Our Understanding of Christian Nubia
Old Dongola was a major political and religious centre of the medieval kingdom of Makuria. Polish archaeological work at the site began in 1964 and has continued to transform scholarly understanding of Christian Nubia. The discoveries demonstrate the importance of sustained international research conducted in partnership with Sudanese archaeological institutions and local communities.
In 2021, a Sudanese-Polish team led by Professor Artur Obłuski of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw identified the remains of the monumental Great Church of Jesus. Subsequent investigations have revealed a building of extraordinary scale, measuring approximately 47 metres wide and 57 metres long, with an estimated height of 21 metres. Its monumental staircase, architectural supports, original floor, painted decoration and Greek inscriptions provide important evidence about the religious and urban life of medieval Dongola.
The discovery is significant not only because of the church’s dimensions, but also because it expands our understanding of the architectural ambition and cultural connections of the Makurian kingdom. It is another reminder that Sudan’s archaeological landscape still holds discoveries capable of reshaping the history of Africa and the wider world.
Agreed photograph: Great Church of Jesus at Old Dongola
The photograph is available from the University of Warsaw at the link below.
Open the University of Warsaw photograph
The monumental church discovered at Old Dongola, Sudan — a remarkable testament to the heritage of Christian Nubia.
Photo credit: Adrian Chlebowski / Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw.
8. Nubian Heritage and UNESCO: The Importance of Sudanese Representation
The election of Khaled El-Enany as Director-General of UNESCO in November 2025 renewed attention to the relationship between African heritage, international cultural institutions and regional representation. Sudan must engage actively with UNESCO and other international bodies to ensure that its archaeological resources receive appropriate recognition, protection and support.
The public debate around the “Waiting for Kush” initiative and earlier UNESCO candidacies also reflects a wider concern: Sudan should have an independent and confident voice in decisions concerning its own heritage. This is not an argument against cooperation with Egypt or any other country. The Nile Valley’s history is interconnected, and cooperation is essential. But shared history must not erase Sudan’s distinct archaeological record, national interests or the voices of Sudanese communities.
9. A National Heritage and Tourism Strategy for the Sudan Founding Project
Nubian antiquities can become a foundation for education, cultural renewal, employment and responsible tourism. This requires a national strategy that treats heritage as a public asset and involves communities living near archaeological sites. The Sudan Founding Project should consider the following priorities:
Protect and document archaeological sites through a national inventory, updated conservation plans and effective enforcement against looting and illegal excavation.
Recover unlawfully removed antiquities through transparent provenance research, diplomatic engagement and lawful international procedures.
Support Sudanese archaeology by strengthening universities, museums, laboratories, professional training and partnerships with reputable international research institutions.
Integrate Nubian and wider Sudanese history into school curricula, public museums and accessible digital educational resources.
Develop responsible cultural tourism around sites such as Kerma, Jebel Barkal, Meroë, Old Dongola and other locations, with investment in visitor facilities, transport, interpretation and conservation.
Ensure that local and displaced communities participate in decisions, benefit from tourism and have meaningful roles in safeguarding their heritage.
Build international cooperation with UNESCO, museums, universities and conservation organisations while maintaining Sudanese leadership, transparency and ownership.
10. Conclusion: Nubia Is at the Heart of Sudanese Civilisation
Nubian antiquities are not a peripheral chapter in Sudan’s history. They are central to the story of the country and to the wider history of Africa. From Kerma and the kingdoms of Kush to the Christian monuments of Faras and Old Dongola, the archaeological record reveals societies of remarkable creativity, organisation and international connection.
The task before Sudan is to protect this inheritance, correct historical neglect, strengthen independent research and make the heritage accessible to all citizens. Cultural tourism can contribute to economic recovery, but it must be based on conservation, community participation and respect for the people whose history is represented.
A new Sudan must take pride in all its civilisational roots. Nubia is not merely a memory of the past; it is a source of identity, knowledge and opportunity for the future.
Dr. Ahmed Eltigani Sidahmed
Founding Leader, Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS)
Rome, Italy — 9 November 2026

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