Fragments of the Napatan Society

The Napatan period of the kingdom of Kush (750-275 BC), known by objects between Lower Nubia and the region south of Khartoum, shows strong Egyptian influence especially in the royal sphere. But there are a lot of traditional elements detectable, which give the impression that indigene ideas are reflected in foreign motives, i.e. the Kushite "text" was written with the Egyptian "language". From the non-elite population, we know only archaeological and no textual sources. Therefore the scientists of the antique Sudan paid no attention to this enormous research area: different graves, various types of inhumation, different group of objects. All these sources can lead us to detect the funerary culture of the non-elite society of the Napatan periode. My focus is the material of the cemetery of Sanam, which is the biggest Napatan private cemetery (about 1550 excavated tombs) known today. There one can find the all the variants of tomb-, inhumation- and object-types. My investigation includes a taxonomical study as well as questions concerning three main points: 1. The microcosmos of Sanam: rise of the cemetery, attributes of gender and age, markers of social determination, etc. 2. The significant historical and cultural situation of the Napatan period: acculturation, inclusion and treatment of foreign influences, markers of different ethnicity, etc. 3. The significant geographical situation of the kingdom of Kush: Comparison to cemeteries situated at different regional and strategic areas - do we find these different ecological situations reflexed in the material culture?