Nastasen is known from three types of objects. There is a stela with a long historical inscription, a silver handle of a mirror,[2] and several shabti-figures. The mirror handle and the shabti were found in a pyramid at Nuri (Nu. 15), which was obviously his burial place. He was the last Kushite king to be buried in the royal cemetery at Napata.
During his reign, Nastasen defeated an invasion of Kush from Upper Egypt. Nastasen's monument calls the leader of this invasion Kambasuten, a likely local variation of Khabbash. Khabbash was a local ruler of Upper Egypt who had campaigned against the Persians around 338 BC. His invasion of Kush was a failure, and Nastasen claimed to have taken many fine boats and other war prizes during his victory.[4]
King Nastasen accompanied by his mother Queen Pelkha (left) and his wife Queen Sakhmakh (right)
The tomb of Nastasen is among several in Nuri that are slated for excavation by archaeologist Pearce Paul Creasman and his Nuri Archaeological Expedition using underwater archaeological methods. That is necessary because of rising ground waters in what was the 4th cataract Nubian region.[5] These tombs are under the pyramids and have flooded. Excavation reports of his tomb indicate that it was undisturbed by grave robbers.[6]
Explorer Josh Gates participated in a dive with Professor Creasman, which was featured in a May 2023 episode of Expedition Unknown (season 11, episodes 1 & 2 which aired May 24th & 31st). Among the finds uncovered on the dives were gold leaf, and a bone fragment in a gold toe cap, assumed to be from Nastasen.[7]
Sources
Fage, J.D.; Oliver, Roland (1975). The Cambridge History of Africa Volume 2: From C.500 BC to AD1050. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 858. ISBN0-521-21592-7.
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