Reach-scale river dynamics moderate the impact of rapid Holocene climate change on floodwater farming in the desert Nile

The relationship between climate change and the development of Old World riverine civilizations is poorly understood because inadequate dating control has hindered effective integration of archaeological, fluvial, and climate records. This paper presents the most comprehensive and robustly dated archaeological and paleoenvironmental data sets yet compiled for the desert Nile. It focuses on the valley floor hinterland of the Kingdom of Kerma (2400-1450 B.C.) in northern Sudan. Kerma emerged as a rival to Egypt during Africa's first "Dark Age" drought. In contrast to other irrigation-based agriculturists in Egypt and Asia, Kerma flourished during the environmental crisis ca. 2200 B.C. We have studied the stratigraphy and archaeological records of paleochannels across an 80 km reach of the Nile upstream of Kerma using optically stimulated luminescence to date when channels flowed and when they dried up. The dynamics of the local alluvial environment were critical in determining whether climatic fluctuations and changes in river flow represented an opportunity for floodwater farmers (5000-3500 B.C.), a hazard that could be managed (2400-1300 B.C.), or an environmental catastrophe that resulted in settlement abandonment (after 1300 B.C.). © 2013 Geological Society of America.Mark G. Macklin, Jamie C. Woodward, Derek A. Welsby, Geoff A.T. Duller, Frances M. Williams, and Martin A.J. William

Authoritative and Protective Insignia, Regalia and Symbols in Nubian Afro-Byzantine Rulers’ Iconography

The article is partly based on my doctoral research and results of my University of Pretoria (UP) project on Afro-Byzantine art.This article discusses the “authority and protection” insignia, regalia and symbols which are used in the Nubian Afro-Byzantine iconography of kings, eparchoi and other royals. They are discussed and analysed—through the study of the most important frescos in Nubian medieval churches—in terms of their position, function and meaning within the Byzantine and Afro-Byzantine context. The article reaches a number of conclusions referring to the religious, artistic, symbolic, political and institutional use and value of these representations of authority, protection and their connotations.http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rech202019-05-25hj2019Humanities Educatio