in 2003, a swiss archaeological team working in northern sudan uncovered one of the most remarkable egyptological finds in recent years. at the site known as kerma, near the third cataract of the nile, archaeologist charles bonnet and his team discovered a ditch within a temple from the ancient city of pnoubs, which contained seven monumental black granite statues. magnificently sculpted, and in an excellent state of preservation, they portrayed five pharaonic rulers, including taharqa and tanoutamon, the last two pharaohs of the 'nubian' dynasty, when egypt was ruled by kings from the lands of modern-day sudan. for over half a century, the nubian pharaohs governed a combined kingdom of egypt and nubia, with an empire stretching from the delta to the upper reaches of the nile.