Amun Temples in Nubia: A typological study of New Kingdom, Napatan and Meroitic Temples

The aims of this study are to observe patterns in the spatial configuration of Egyptian and Kushite temples dedicated to Amun in Nubia; to identify architectural models; and finally, to ascribe these models to certain historical periods or specific rulers. The core of the work is a typological study based on the comparison of architectural plans of one type of building dedicated to a particular deity. Although it used two earlier typological studies of Kushite architecture as a stepping stone, this studydiffered in the definition of its assemblage. the present corpus includes New Kingdom temples in an attempt to follow the architectural evolution of Kushite temples from their source of inspiration. Because ancient Egyptian temples were undoubtedly the prototypes upon which Napatan and Meroitic temples were modelled, it was necessary to include them in the study and classify them together with later temples in order to properly establish patterns. Additionally, the newly uncovered temples at Doukki Gel, Hugeir Gubli, Usli, Soniyat, Dangeil, and el-Hassa offered new material that needed to be included in such a study. As much as the study of Egyptian temples contributed to our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilisation, the study of Napatan and Meroitic temples might just do the same for the Kushite kingdom.