Natasha J Rai | University of Cambridge (original) (raw)
Conference Presentations by Natasha J Rai
Hybridity is a concept much discussed in the archaeological sphere, often termed inappropriate in... more Hybridity is a concept much discussed in the archaeological sphere, often termed inappropriate in many applications given assumed notions of purity and simplistic two-way exchanges of traditions determined through strict and often unhelpful categories. The ‘fuzzy’ borders of ancient Upper Egypt and Lower Nubia (North Sudan) illustrate this complexity of multiple traditions converging, leading to adoption, rejection, adaptation, and transformation. Despite the formation of the ancient Egyptian state around 3000 B.C.E., recent archaeological excavations and reassessment of artefacts collected in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century are revealing openly fluid borders particularly between Upper Egypt and Lower Nubia (the region of the First Cataract, south of Aswan). In this region we see clear social and technological exchanges of traditions from both sides, suggesting the formation of ‘hybrid’ identities, expressed through various types of material culture and artistic depictions. The garrison of Gebelein, located in Upper Egypt, dates to the First Intermediate Period (c.a. 2181 – 2055 B.C.E.), a time of political fragmentation in the ancient Egyptian state. Several rulers emerge in various nomes (city states), with this site falling under the jurisdiction of the Theban nome. Several stelae from this site depict soldiers in what was first termed a ‘hybrid’ format, exhibiting both Nubian and Egyptian dress and characteristics. Closer analysis of these stelae and their short inscriptions reveals a more complex story of earlier migration through fluid border zones leading to the adoption, adaptation and rejection of certain Egyptian features and artistic norms, combining both distinct Nubian and Egyptian identities to form the complex ‘Upper Egyptian’ identity. Here, ‘hybrid’ is too simplistic a term; instead, we see the formation of new identities through a convergence of multiple traditions – thus this study posits the use of the term transculturation as a better definition for this type of cultural interaction.
Talks by Natasha J Rai
Ancient Egyptian and Nubian relations have been well discussed for the colonial periods of the Mi... more Ancient Egyptian and Nubian relations have been well discussed for the colonial periods of the Middle and New Kingdom, as the dominance of Egyptian material in the Nubian region attracted scholarly interest. It is not until more recent decades that attention has been drawn to the
Call for Papers by Natasha J Rai
Indigenous Archaeologies, 2024
CALL FOR PAPERS - Archaeological Review from Cambridge Volume 39.2 - Indigenous Archaeologies ... more CALL FOR PAPERS - Archaeological Review from Cambridge
Volume 39.2 - Indigenous Archaeologies
The Archaeological Review from Cambridge is pleased to invite submissions for our next issue (39.2), exploring Indigenous Archaeologies as a branch of archaeological theory, to create a publication that highlights its global diversity and active efforts towards decolonisation. This issue welcomes contributions from Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and community members to discuss the methodologies, epistemologies, and ways of moving forward within Indigenous Archaeology.
Please see the attached Call for Papers for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions or to register interest (indigenousarchaeologies@gmail.com) by 14th February 2024. We welcome contributions from researchers at any stage of their academic career and from all related disciplines. Papers of no more than 4000 words should be submitted by 29th April 2024 for publication in November 2024.
Hybridity is a concept much discussed in the archaeological sphere, often termed inappropriate in... more Hybridity is a concept much discussed in the archaeological sphere, often termed inappropriate in many applications given assumed notions of purity and simplistic two-way exchanges of traditions determined through strict and often unhelpful categories. The ‘fuzzy’ borders of ancient Upper Egypt and Lower Nubia (North Sudan) illustrate this complexity of multiple traditions converging, leading to adoption, rejection, adaptation, and transformation. Despite the formation of the ancient Egyptian state around 3000 B.C.E., recent archaeological excavations and reassessment of artefacts collected in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century are revealing openly fluid borders particularly between Upper Egypt and Lower Nubia (the region of the First Cataract, south of Aswan). In this region we see clear social and technological exchanges of traditions from both sides, suggesting the formation of ‘hybrid’ identities, expressed through various types of material culture and artistic depictions. The garrison of Gebelein, located in Upper Egypt, dates to the First Intermediate Period (c.a. 2181 – 2055 B.C.E.), a time of political fragmentation in the ancient Egyptian state. Several rulers emerge in various nomes (city states), with this site falling under the jurisdiction of the Theban nome. Several stelae from this site depict soldiers in what was first termed a ‘hybrid’ format, exhibiting both Nubian and Egyptian dress and characteristics. Closer analysis of these stelae and their short inscriptions reveals a more complex story of earlier migration through fluid border zones leading to the adoption, adaptation and rejection of certain Egyptian features and artistic norms, combining both distinct Nubian and Egyptian identities to form the complex ‘Upper Egyptian’ identity. Here, ‘hybrid’ is too simplistic a term; instead, we see the formation of new identities through a convergence of multiple traditions – thus this study posits the use of the term transculturation as a better definition for this type of cultural interaction.
Ancient Egyptian and Nubian relations have been well discussed for the colonial periods of the Mi... more Ancient Egyptian and Nubian relations have been well discussed for the colonial periods of the Middle and New Kingdom, as the dominance of Egyptian material in the Nubian region attracted scholarly interest. It is not until more recent decades that attention has been drawn to the
Indigenous Archaeologies, 2024
CALL FOR PAPERS - Archaeological Review from Cambridge Volume 39.2 - Indigenous Archaeologies ... more CALL FOR PAPERS - Archaeological Review from Cambridge
Volume 39.2 - Indigenous Archaeologies
The Archaeological Review from Cambridge is pleased to invite submissions for our next issue (39.2), exploring Indigenous Archaeologies as a branch of archaeological theory, to create a publication that highlights its global diversity and active efforts towards decolonisation. This issue welcomes contributions from Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars and community members to discuss the methodologies, epistemologies, and ways of moving forward within Indigenous Archaeology.
Please see the attached Call for Papers for more details, and don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions or to register interest (indigenousarchaeologies@gmail.com) by 14th February 2024. We welcome contributions from researchers at any stage of their academic career and from all related disciplines. Papers of no more than 4000 words should be submitted by 29th April 2024 for publication in November 2024.