What might one speculate as reasons for the absence of a crucified Christ in Early Christian art?

This is because the Christians in that era talked about Jesus Christ mostly as a divine being and someone who nothing could harm. He was talked more of a being who had the power to deliver a lot of people from bondages and being able to raise the dead.

Presence of a crucified Christ in the early Christian art would have made them contradict themselves and make people mock all the other good deeds he had the power to do.

i can't beat you to a pulp if i'm not close enough.

it's lower nubia : ) good luck