hamdeen
|
@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ porridge, and *Kisra*, and drinks such as local wine, *Hulu-mur*,
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
The El Mahas region lies along the Nile, in northern Sudan (Fig.1)
|
The El Mahas region lies along the Nile, in northern Sudan (Fig.1)
|
||||||
beginning at the north end of the Dongola Reach and extending from the
|
beginning at the north end of the Dongola Reach and extending from the
|
||||||
area of the villages of Hannik (west bank) and Tombos (east bank), at
|
area of the villages of Hannek (west bank) and Tombos (east bank), at
|
||||||
the top of the Third Cataract, downriver as far as the area of Jebel
|
the top of the Third Cataract, downriver as far as the area of Jebel
|
||||||
Dosha (west bank) and Wawa (east bank), in the north. Its northern
|
Dosha (west bank) and Wawa (east bank), in the north. Its northern
|
||||||
boundary is most visibly marked by the cliff-face known as Jebel Dosha
|
boundary is most visibly marked by the cliff-face known as Jebel Dosha
|
||||||
|
@ -109,11 +109,11 @@ which overlooks the west bank of the river some five kilometers
|
||||||
downstream of Soleb, the end of a long ridge that runs approximately
|
downstream of Soleb, the end of a long ridge that runs approximately
|
||||||
three kilometers into the desert to the west-north-west, forming a
|
three kilometers into the desert to the west-north-west, forming a
|
||||||
prominent natural feature, the region extends over a distance of
|
prominent natural feature, the region extends over a distance of
|
||||||
approximately 141 kilometers (ca. 88 miles) from Hannik to Wawa.
|
approximately 141 kilometers (ca. 88 miles) from Hannek to Wawa.
|
||||||
Within this area, the landscape is highly varied, including some very
|
Within this area, the landscape is highly varied, including some very
|
||||||
fertile localities with abundant alluvial soils but also many
|
fertile localities with abundant alluvial soils but also many
|
||||||
extremely barren and inhospitable areas (Osman and Edwards 2012: 6-7).
|
extremely barren and inhospitable areas (Osman and Edwards 2012: 6-7).
|
||||||
The Mahas Archaeological Project, directed by Prof. Ali Osman,
|
The Mahas Archaeological Project, directed by Ali Osman Mohamed Salih,
|
||||||
identified four Christian mudbrick sites located in the different
|
identified four Christian mudbrick sites located in the different
|
||||||
three main areas (north, middle, and south) of the El Mahas region in
|
three main areas (north, middle, and south) of the El Mahas region in
|
||||||
April 2019. I chose these four sites to serve as case studies for the
|
April 2019. I chose these four sites to serve as case studies for the
|
||||||
|
@ -187,9 +187,9 @@ survived appears to be 'Late' and 'Terminal Christian' ceramic types.
|
||||||
Outside this structure are traces of less substantial structures
|
Outside this structure are traces of less substantial structures
|
||||||
surviving as a few courses of rough stone walling (Fig.2d).[^9]
|
surviving as a few courses of rough stone walling (Fig.2d).[^9]
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
 TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Eng. Omer).")
|
 TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Engineer Omer).")
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**~~Figure 2. The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Eng. Omer).~~**
|
**~~Figure 2. The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Engineer Omer).~~**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
# Materials and Methods
|
# Materials and Methods
|
||||||
|
@ -215,21 +215,23 @@ macro-remains.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Results of extracted plant remains from the Homescape
|
## Results of extracted plant remains from the Homescape
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Seven plant species were encountered as seeds, while fruits were extracted and
|
Seven plant species were encountered as seeds. Fruits were extracted and
|
||||||
identified from the mudbrick samples. The assemblage of seeds and fruits
|
identified from the mudbrick samples. The assemblage of seeds and fruits
|
||||||
were preserved by desiccation. Table (1) shows the Latin names of the
|
were preserved by desiccation. Table (1) shows the Latin names of the
|
||||||
determined species and their distribution in the sites. The cereal
|
identified species and their distribution in the sites. Cereals
|
||||||
appeared clearly and can be identified from the seeds of the *Triticum
|
appeared clearly and can be identified from the seeds of:
|
||||||
aestivum* (Fig.3a)* and Hordeum vulgare* (Fig.3b). These two cereals were added to some parts of
|
- *Triticum aestivum* (Fig.3a), added to some parts of
|
||||||
spikelets, chaffs, and glume fragments. *Sorghum
|
spikelets, chaffs, and glume fragments
|
||||||
bicolor* was presented from spikelet with grain inside (Fig.4c) and
|
- *Hordeum vulgare* (Fig. 3b), added to some parts of
|
||||||
*Setaria italica* was also represented from their seeds (Fig.3d).
|
spikelets, chaffs, and glume fragments
|
||||||
*Adansonia digitate* appeared from small fragments of the fruit pulp
|
- *Sorghum bicolor* (Fig. 3c), present in spikelet with grain inside
|
||||||
shell (Fig.3e). *Acacia nilotica* was identified from the seed remains
|
- *Setaria italica* (Fig.3d), represented from its seeds.
|
||||||
(Fig.3f) and the *Cyperus rotundus* appeared in the materials from the
|
Furthermore, for the trees:
|
||||||
complete purple nutsedge roots (Fig.3g). Some animal remains, animal
|
- *Adansonia digitata* appeared from small fragments of the fruit pulp shell (Fig.3e).
|
||||||
dung (Fig. 3h), and insect remains (Fig.3i) appeared in the samples. More
|
- *Acacia nilotica* was identified from the seed remains (Fig.3f).
|
||||||
analysis for further identifications will be done at a later date.
|
- *Cyperus rotundus* appeared in the materials from the complete purple nutsedge roots (Fig.3g).
|
||||||
|
Some animal remains, animal dung (Fig. 3h), and insect remains (Fig.3i) appeared in the samples. More
|
||||||
|
analysis for more detailed identifications will be done at a later date.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||

|

|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
@ -346,18 +348,18 @@ Girba.[^21]
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
The last species of cereal type, *Setaria italica, was* reported as
|
The last species of cereal type, *Setaria italica, was* reported as
|
||||||
seeds from two sites, MAS021 and DFF009. One of the pieces of evidence
|
seeds from two sites, MAS021 and DFF009. One of the pieces of evidence
|
||||||
in the area for this *Setaria* sp. was recovered from settlement
|
in the area for this *Setaria* species was recovered from settlement
|
||||||
contexts at site Abu Darbien in central Sudan date back to 7860 cal.
|
contexts at site Abu Darbien in central Sudan date back to 7860 cal.
|
||||||
BP.[^22] In the eastern Sudan from sites K1 I 5, S14d, 3-S5 dated to
|
BP.[^22] In the eastern Sudan from sites K1 I 5, S14d, 3-S5 dated to
|
||||||
Gash group 1500--1400 BCE. *Setaria* sp. was identified on the
|
Gash group 1500--1400 BCE. *Setaria* species was identified on the
|
||||||
exterior surface of pottery and not far from that site. *Setaria* sp.
|
exterior surface of pottery and not far from that site. *Setaria* species
|
||||||
also was recorded from site SEG 42 R 5 and dating to Hagiz Group 500
|
also was recorded from site SEG 42 R 5 and dating to Hagiz Group 500
|
||||||
BCE--500 CE.[^23] Some remains of *Setaria* sp. have been identified
|
BCE--500 CE.[^23] Some remains of *Setaria* species have been identified
|
||||||
also in the organic residues in pots from early Meroitic cemetery at
|
also in the organic residues in pots from early Meroitic cemetery at
|
||||||
Amir Abdallah.[^24] *Setaria italica* remains appeared together with a
|
Amir Abdallah.[^24] *Setaria italica* remains appeared together with a
|
||||||
related wild weedy grass identified as *Setaria cf. sphaceleata* at
|
related wild weedy grass identified as *Setaria cf. sphaceleata* at
|
||||||
the Christian site at Nauri on the opposite bank of the site
|
the Christian site at Nauri on the opposite bank of the site
|
||||||
DF009.[^25] This evidence suggests that *Setaria* sp. is common in
|
DF009.[^25] This evidence suggests that *Setaria* species is common in
|
||||||
this area of Sudan and that there may be some connection between these
|
this area of Sudan and that there may be some connection between these
|
||||||
two sites during Christian period.
|
two sites during Christian period.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
@ -450,14 +452,14 @@ local communities, as well as fodder, fibers for weaving and
|
||||||
rope-making, gum, seed oil, natural medicine, materials for dishes,
|
rope-making, gum, seed oil, natural medicine, materials for dishes,
|
||||||
and water storage.[^37] It can also be used for shelter and as a
|
and water storage.[^37] It can also be used for shelter and as a
|
||||||
gathering point for humans and their livestock.[^38] All across the
|
gathering point for humans and their livestock.[^38] All across the
|
||||||
African continent, the sight of *A. digitata* has inspired tales,
|
African continent, the sight of *Adansonia digitata* has inspired tales,
|
||||||
poetry, songs, and legends. *A. digitata* have often commanded
|
poetry, songs, and legends. *Adansonia digitata* have often commanded
|
||||||
compassion and even devotion.[^39]
|
compassion and even devotion.[^39]
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
The earliest archaeobotanical record from Sudan and northeast Africa
|
The earliest archaeobotanical record from Sudan and northeast Africa
|
||||||
for this species came from site K1 IX in Kassala and dates to the Late
|
for this species came from site K1 IX in Kassala and dates to the Late
|
||||||
Gash Group context. This evidence was the charred seeds of *Adansonia
|
Gash Group context. This evidence was the charred seeds of *Adansonia
|
||||||
digitata* L. These findings suggest that this tree had already been
|
digitata*. These findings suggest that this tree had already been
|
||||||
transferred from west to east across the savanna by the early second
|
transferred from west to east across the savanna by the early second
|
||||||
millennium BCE.[^40] The evidence from the Third Cataract is
|
millennium BCE.[^40] The evidence from the Third Cataract is
|
||||||
considered the second record for this species in the Sudan and
|
considered the second record for this species in the Sudan and
|
||||||
|
@ -518,7 +520,7 @@ diets for consumption to human foods and fodder for animals.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Our plant remains provided some evidence of the external and internal
|
Our plant remains provided some evidence of the external and internal
|
||||||
homescape of the Third Cataract during the Christian period. *Acacia*
|
homescape of the Third Cataract during the Christian period. *Acacia*
|
||||||
sp. and *Adansonia* sp. could be used as building materials in both
|
species and *Adansonia* species could be used as building materials in both
|
||||||
the exterior and interior shelters and homes. Some of these materials
|
the exterior and interior shelters and homes. Some of these materials
|
||||||
are wood, timber, and straw, as well as hard trunks and tree branches
|
are wood, timber, and straw, as well as hard trunks and tree branches
|
||||||
probably used as roofs and walls in the houses. Furniture was commonly
|
probably used as roofs and walls in the houses. Furniture was commonly
|
||||||
|
@ -545,10 +547,10 @@ Christian period.
|
||||||
# Acknowledgements
|
# Acknowledgements
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Special thanks go to the El-Mahas Archaeological Project team in the
|
Special thanks go to the El-Mahas Archaeological Project team in the
|
||||||
2019 season, and the director Prof Ali Osman Mohamed Salih, and the
|
2019 season, and the director Ali Osman Mohamed Salih, and the
|
||||||
people of Mashakiela village for their hospitality and generosity. The
|
people of Mashakiela village for their hospitality and generosity. The
|
||||||
following persons are also thanked: Eng. Omer for taking drone photos.
|
following persons are also thanked: Engineer Omer for taking drone photos.
|
||||||
Eng. Medhat Mohamed Osman. Mr Basim Ali, Mr. Ahmed Ali Osman, and Mr.
|
Engineer Medhat Mohamed Osman, Mr. Basim Ali, Mr. Ahmed Ali Osman, and Mr.
|
||||||
Musaab Khair for their assistance with the fieldwork.
|
Musaab Khair for their assistance with the fieldwork.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
# References
|
# References
|
||||||
|
|
|
@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ the new village.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||

|

|
||||||
|
|
||||||
**~~Figure 6. Layout of New Abu Hor.~~**
|
**~~Figure 9. Layout of New Abu Hor.~~**
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
In 1970, my mother\'s family received their house (Faris' house in
|
In 1970, my mother\'s family received their house (Faris' house in
|
||||||
|
|
BIN
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