49. Ushabti of Queen Nasalsa

This ushabti represents a Napatan queen, Nasalsa, in an Osiride position holding the crook and two hoes. While her position and insignia closely parallel the ushabtis of kings (no. 46), she wears a lappet wig with the queenly vulture headdress of Egypt. The ushabti was found in her own pyramid (Nuri no. 24), a part of a large set of similar ushabtis to assist her in the afterlife. Nasalsa was an important figure, being the daughter of king Atlanersa, the mother of two kings (Anlamani and Aspelta) and another queen (Madiqen), as well as the sister and wife of king Senkamanisken. Marrying within the family was common in both ancient Egypt and Kush, as it ensured control of the royal line. The matrilineal line seems to have determined the succession to the throne and was also an important aspect of the political legitimacy of kings. Because of their high social standing, Napatan queens were involved in the coronation of new kings, as well as other aspects of the cult, and were buried in the same cemeteries as their male counterparts in their own monumental tombs. The involvement of royal women in public affairs and religious life points to their importance and high social standing in Napatan culture.