In this episode of Pieces of History, I’m joined by Geoff Emberling to explore the history of ancient Nubia and the Kingdom of Kush – a civilisation too often overlooked in traditional accounts of the ancient world.

We begin with Geoff’s own path into archaeology and his work in Nubia, before stepping back to place the region geographically and culturally within the wider Nile Valley. From there, we examine how Egypt-centred narratives have shaped popular understandings of the past, and what they miss about Nubia’s political power, cultural confidence, and global connections.

For those encountering Kush for the first time, we discuss who the Kushites were, what their kingdom looked like at its height, and what Nubia’s pyramids reveal about Kushite identity, religion, and authority. We also explore the long and complex relationship between Kush and Egypt — from trade and rivalry to the Kushite conquest of Egypt during the 25th Dynasty.

Drawing on recent archaeology and fieldwork, Geoff reflects on how new evidence is reshaping our understanding of Nubia, and why placing it at the centre rather than the margins fundamentally changes how we view ancient history.

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