Press Release: Africa’s Greatest Civilization

Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in conjunction with the Carlos Museum, Lost Kingdoms of the Nile features some of the most significant archaeological treasures ever found in Africa. This monumental exhibition—consisting of over 250 objects in gold, silver, bronze, ivory, stone, and ceramic ranging in date from 3000 B.C. to 350 A.D.—provides unprecedented insight into ancient Nubia, the extraordinary African civilization that has often been overshadowed by ancient Egypt.

Ancient Nubia thrived from 6000 BC to 350 AD in what is today southern Egypt and northern Sudan. The exhibition highlights not only some of the finest artworks ever found in ancient Africa but also the remarkable stories of their discovery by the intrepid archaeologists who were part of the Harvard-Boston Expedition from 1913 to 1932.

Highlights of the exhibition include:

• An exquisite golden royal diadem, which will be reconstructed in its entirety for the first time.
• Finely crafted ceramics, including some of the earliest pottery in the world.
• Treasures from the royal Nubian tombs, including part of an army of shawabti figurines buried to work for the Nubian kings who ruled over the areas of both modern-day Egypt and the Sudan.
• Inscriptions in the mysterious language of Nubia.

For Teachers: Education Materials on Nubia
Explore educational content on Nubia made relevant for school children. Also available is the teacher packet.