24. Reproduction of a Pregnant Female Figurine

This AI-generated model is based on a figurine from Askut. The original represents a pregnant steatopygous female, possibly a deity. It has round shoulders and wing-like arms, incised decoration around the neck and waist, and marks across the chest (representing a necklace, creases, or tattoos). The ornamentation and form link it stylistically both with the C-Group and Kerma cultures. It was found in a room inside the House of Meryka, which was built in a reconfigured part of the former fort. The space was equipped with an altar that incorporated a stela with Egyptian hieroglyphics depicting two household ancestors. A variety of votive objects belonging to different cultural traditions (incense burners, a Nubian-style seal impression, one of the miniature vessels under no. 23, and Egyptian pots), as well traces of fruit offerings, were found in the context of the altar. The bovine figurine and one of the human figurines (no. 23) were found elsewhere in or near Meryka’s house. These finds demonstrate the resilience of native cultures in the colonized south, and the complex lived experiences of people in the former forts. Scan the blue QR code nearby to explore a 3D model of the pregnant figurine, and the brown QR code to see a picture of how the shrine looked like.