Episode

The Great Nubian Gold Rush (of the Second Millennium BCE?), or, Gold Bugs of the Bronze Age

Podcast

This Week in the Ancient Near East

Published

Dec 29, 2025

Duration seconds

2469

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https://thisweekintheancientneareast.podbean.com/e/the-great-nubian-gold-rush-of-the-second-millennium-bce-or-goldbugs-of-the-bronze-age/

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https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/em5bi58zdapdx5r5/podcast_130_-_12_28_25_209_PMbuy5u.mp3

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Summary

How much gold was mined in antiquity anyway? A new economic analysis suggests that second millennium BCE Nubia produced hundreds of tons of the stuff, which is way more than anyone ever thought. Mining expeditions were super profitable too. So where’s the archaeological and textual evidence? Screw that, where’s all the gold now dammit?