Drowned gifts of the Nile: Archaeological Research in Lower Nubia beneath the Aswan High Dam

The aim of this contribution is to outline the history of Egyptological research in Lower Nubia from the last century beyond, focusing on how it has been conducted, due to the threat of flooding the region underwent since the Aswan Dam was built in 1902. Excavations in Lower Nubia have mostly been conceived in the framework of salvage archaeology, which has led to quantum increases in our knowledge of cultural history of the region; meanwhile, enormous lacunae remain, due to the difficulties encountered in struggling with water rising and the urgence to develop a new scientific method. The current state of research suffers from a lack of data and the impossibility to reprise the excavations in most sites, which are submerged by Lake Nasser. This contribution approaches the topic from two standpoints: first, a brief history of research will be highlighted; then, perspectives and hypothesis concerning the future will be illustrated. The opening section analyses Reisner and Firth’s First Archaeological Survey in Lower Nubia (1907-1911), its approach and results. The following section outlines Emery and Kirwan’s Second Archaeological Survey (1929-1934), focusing on similarities and differences in comparison with the previous one. The third section approaches the UNESCO Campaign (1959-1969), which involved more than forty archaeological expeditions worldwide. The conclusions will outline achievements and weaknesses of the three main surveys and hypothesis on future research in Lower Nubia will be suggested.