Work

Mortuary practices and social organisation of the Meroitic State: Kedurma, Third Cataract region of the Nile

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Discussions of social organisation in early complex societies often rely on traditional narratives of a linear progression to hierarchy, but archaeological evidence is increasingly showcasing a spectrum of social structures. Here, examination of burial practices in 50 tombs from Kedurma, Sudan, helps illustrate social stratification and identity negotiation beyond the binary rendering of elite/non-elite during the Meroitic period (third century BC to fourth century AD). The diversity of architectural forms and grave goods highlights the importance of inter-regional exchange networks and a more fluid social dynamic, contributing to our understanding of early African state formation.

Source: Antiquity

DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2025.10278

Author: Mohamed Bashir

Institutions: University of Khartoum, University of Münster

Language: English

Topic: Ancient Egypt and Archaeology

Subfield: Archeology

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550