Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa

With works spanning more than 2,000 years, Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa offers insights into the kingdoms that inhabited what is today the Sudanese Nile Valley. Although frequently overshadowed in the public imagination by its northern neighbor Egypt, ancient Nubia has a long and glorious past. There, a series of civilizations flourished for more than 6,000 years. Nubia’s location made it a strategic link between central and eastern Africa, western Asia, and the Mediterranean, but its history was often misinterpreted. Through a majestic display of art and objects, this exhibition offers new ways of understanding Nubia’s history and contemporary relevance.

The exhibition presents the Nubians’ artistic achievements, including magnificent jewelry, pottery, sculpture, metalwork, and more and showcases the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Through Nubian art, the exhibition examines concepts of power, representation, and cultural bias in the ancient world, in the early 20th century, and today.

Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa is curated by Denise Doxey, curator of ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This exhibition was organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. It is presented in St. Louis by the Betsy and Thomas Patterson Foundation. Additional support is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; and Tiffany & Co.

#NubianTreasures

Hours and Tickets

Exhibition Hours

Tuesday–Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Friday: 10 am–9 pm
Closed Monday
Holiday hours are noted on our calendar
Final admission to the exhibition is one hour before the Museum closes. 
*Last ticket times are 4 pm and 8 pm, respectively.

Tickets

In order to ensure space for safe social distancing, entry to the exhibition is limited to 30 tickets per every 15 minutes. For complete information about the Museum’s new procedures for visitors, click here.

Members always free.
Adults: $12
Seniors/Students: $10
Children (6-12): $6
Children (5 and under): Free; ticket required.
Free on Fridays: Subject to availability; ticket required; limited to six tickets per reservation.

Audio Guide

Enjoy the Museum’s new, enhanced virtual audio guide for Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa. Each of the 10 tracks are one to three minutes in length and can be selected randomly. Bring your headphones and listen during your in-gallery visit or experience the guide from home.

Visitor Survey

To protect visitors, the in-gallery exhibition survey is unavailable. Share your experience at Nubia: Treasures of Ancient Africa from your own device here or connect with us on social media @STLArtMuseum.