Dear Colleagues,
For information and dissemination: attached please find the statement from the participants of the 13th International Conference for Meroitic Studies (2024) regarding the situation in Sudan.
Sincerely
Julie
Statement of the participants of the 13th International Conference for Meroitic Studies, approved on 13. September 2024
At the kind invitation of the Institute of Egyptology and Coptology, University of Münster (Germany) the 13th International Conference for Meroitic Studies was held in Münster from September 9th to 13th, 2024, with the aim to bring again together archaeologists, philologists, anthropologists, historians and other scholars working on the ancient Sudan. In order to strengthen the bonds of joint cooperation and exchange of experiences and knowledge, many scholars and specialists in studies of the ancient Sudan from different parts of the world participated in the conference and presented working papers that were praised by the participants in person and online. Based on the common desire to improve relations between institutions specialized in Sudan archaeology, the conference participants affirmed to continue introducing the Meroitic civilization to the world.
The participants of the 13th International Conference for Meroitic Studies are deeply concerned by the ongoing war in Sudan. This war destroys the life, property and environment of the Sudanese people and poses an existential threat to the cultural heritage of Sudan. We as the scientific community cannot remain silent faced with the ongoing horrors, and call for an instant ceasefire. We are deeply concerned by recent news reports of looting of cultural artefacts from Sudan’s museums and archives as well as archaeological sites which houses some of the most important collections in Africa, and indeed the world, covering all periods of human history.
As specialists of Sudan archaeology and friends of the country we are ready to stand beside Sudan in restoring its cultural heritage in any way we can. Our hearts and minds are with the people of Sudan. We all hope for an immediate end of the armed conflict and a peaceful future.
