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Alexandros Tsakos 2025-01-21 17:13:43 +01:00
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@ -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]
![The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Eng. Omer).](../static/images/hamdeen/Fig2.jpg "The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Eng. Omer).") ![The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) TMB016. b) MAS021. c) DFF008. d) DFF009 (photos by Engineer Omer).](../static/images/hamdeen/Fig2.jpg "The four sites discussed in the chapter: a) 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.
![A table showing plant species that were identified from the Samples.](../static/images/hamdeen/Table1.jpg "A table showing plant species that were identified from the Samples.") ![A table showing plant species that were identified from the Samples.](../static/images/hamdeen/Table1.jpg "A table showing plant species that were identified from the Samples.")
@ -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

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@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ the new village.
![Layout of New Abu Hor.](../static/images/sadeq/fig9.jpg "Layout of New Abu Hor.") ![Layout of New Abu Hor.](../static/images/sadeq/fig9.jpg "Layout of New Abu Hor.")
**~~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

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