Vrtal, Vlastimil : Wad Ben Naga Report V. The Palace of Amanishakhete

Vlastimil Vrtal,
Wad Ben Naga Report V. The Palace of Amanishakhete

Prague 2024

ISBN 978-80-7036-839-8


520 S./pp., zahlr. Farbabb./num. colour figs., 28 x 21 cm; kartoniert/hardcover



Wad Ben Naga Report V: The Palace of Amanishakhete deals with an analysis and interpretation of multiple aspects of this archaeological structure. The volume represents the first comprehensive account on the best-preserved royal palace of the Meroitic period, thus potentially contributing to discussions on Meroitic prestigious architecture, administration, material culture, royal ideology, etc.

In the first part, various sources of information on the Palace of Amanishakhete are presented and analysed. Chapter 2 deals with the evaluation of collected parts of field records from largely unpublished 1958–1960 excavations in the palace, as well as evaluation of some contemporary accounts. Chapter 3 represents an archaeological report on a recent survey, excavations, and re­excavations in the palace by the Archaeological Expedition to Wad Ben Naga. Chapters 4 and 5 comprise the analysis of all non-ceramic and ceramic finds, respectively, from both the previous and recent excavations. A catalogue of all recorded finds from the 1958–1960 excavations in the palace forms an appendix to the volume.

The second part focuses on four research problems addressing different aspects of the structure. Chapter 6 concerns the architectural form of the palace. In chapter 7, chronological setting of various events and activities recorded in the spatial context of the palace is discussed. Chapter 8 is dedicated to various functions of the spatial context of the palace, both during the primary and secondary occupations. In chapter 9, positions of the palace at the site and in the socio-economic, political, and ideological landscape of the Meroitic kingdom are assessed.