The West Bank Survey from Faras to Gemai: 1 Sites of Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic Age 9781407312897, 9781407342566

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BAR  S2650  2014  

Sudan Archaeological Research Society Publication Number 21

The West Bank Survey from Faras to Gemai

NORDSTRÖM  

1

THE WEST BANK SURVEY FROM FARAS TO GEMAI 1

Sites of Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic Age

Hans-Åke Nordström

BAR International Series 2650 9 781407 312897

B A R

2014

Sudan Archaeological Research Society Publication Number 21

The West Bank Survey from Faras to Gemai 1 Sites of Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic Age

Hans-Åke Nordström

BAR International Series 2650 2014

ISBN 9781407312897 paperback ISBN 9781407342566 e-format DOI https://doi.org/10.30861/9781407312897 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

BAR

PUBLISHING

To my wife Lena

v

vi

Contents ix

List of Tables List of Figures List of Plates



x-xii xiii-xvii

Abbreviations

xvii

1. Introduction The scope and circumstances of this volume The fieldwork The organisation of the data Databases The organisation of the photographic record Acknowledgements

1-4 1 2 2 2 3 3 5-14 5 5 5 6 7 7 7 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 13 14

2. Terminology and Classifications Descriptions of the sites and units Classifications of the pottery The pottery fabrics Characteristics of the wares Ware Family K Ware Family M Ware Family H Ware Family N Ware Family D Ware Family W Properties of shape and details Decoration Early Nubian pottery types Middle Nubian pottery types Pharaonic pottery types Catalogues of other finds

15-59 15 15 29 51 54

3. Early Nubian sites Overview Habitation sites Mortuary sites The Early Nubian pottery The other finds of Early Nubian date

61-119 61 63 66 112 117

4. Middle Nubian sites Overview Habitation sites Mortuary sites The Middle Nubian pottery The other finds of Middle Nubian date

121-143 121 121 125 138 140 141 143

5. Pharaonic New Kingdom sites Overview Habitation and structural remains Mortuary sites Sentinel huts The pottery The other finds Pharaonic inscriptions

vii

6. Miscellaneous sites Undated sites Rock drawings

145-146 145 146

7. A wider context The geographical setting The Early Nubian period The Middle Nubian period The New Kingdom period

147-157 147 147 152 156

Appendices A. List of all catalogued objects of Early Nubian date with corresponding Sudan National Museum accession numbers. B. List of all catalogued objects of Middle Nubian date with corresponding Sudan National Museum accession numbers. C. List of all catalogued objects of Pharaonic New Kingdom date with corresponding Sudan National Museum accession numbers.

159-176 159

Bibliography

177-178

Arabic summary Plates

viii

166 175

List of Tables 1 Habitation sites and related types of sites of Early Nubian date in the WBS area. Geographical order from north to south. 2 Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa. Sherd count (approximate number of sherds) covering the different levels of the excavated area. 3 Site 5-T-38, Matuga Island. Sherd count from disturbed refuse layers. 4 Site 5-S-25, Shagir Island. Sherd count from different excavation units and levels. 5 Mortuary sites of Nubian A-Group date in the WBS area. Geographical order from north to south. 6 Cups and bowls of “eggshell ware”, Type SJE AIIa-b (Ware H2.01b) and Type SJE AVIIIa (Ware H4.01b) found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 7 Red polished (RP) bowls and dishes of SJE Type Groups AIII and AIV found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 8 Egyptian pottery found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 9 Stone grinders and mortars found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 10 Palettes found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 11 Beads and amulet pendants found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 12 Bracelets found in A-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 13 Habitation sites and mortuary sites of Middle Nubian date recorded in the WBS area. Geographical order from north to south. 14 Site 5-X-28, Gemai West. Sherd count (approximate number) covering the different levels of the excavated area. 15 Decorated black polished cups and bowls (Ware H3.03, Type SJE CIIIa-b) found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 16 Brown ware “Nubian” jars of Type SJE CIe found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 17 Wheel-made brown ware pottery found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 18 Wheel-made marl fabric pottery found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 19 Spacers and bracelets found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 20 Ceramic figures found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 21 Catalogued remains of leather found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 22 Bucrania and other faunal remains found in C-Group cemeteries in the WBS area. 23 Mortuary sites of New Kingdom date recorded or excavated by the SAS-UNESCO mission. Geographical order from north to south. 24 Brown wheel-made pottery of Nile fabrics (Ware Group W1) found in New Kingdom sites in the WBS area. 25 Wheel-made New Kingdom pottery of marl fabrics (Ware Groups W3 and W5) found in the WBS area. 26 Personal adornments of New Kingdom origin found in the WBS area. 27 Amulets and scarabs of New Kingdom origin found in the WBS area. 28 Pharaonic inscriptions initially listed by the SAS-UNESCO mission, later recorded and published by the German mission. Geographical order from north to south. 29 Rock drawings initially listed by the SAS-UNESCO mission, later recorded and published by the German mission. Geographical order from north to south.

ix

15 23 26 28 29 52 53 54 55 57 58 58 61 66 113 113 115 115 118 118 119 119 125 141 142 142 143 143 146

List of Figures 1 Distribution of the Early Nubian sites in the West Bank Survey area. 2 Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa, location of the test excavation in relation to the large A-Group and C-Group cemetery 6-G-18. 3 Site 5-S-25, Shagir Island, site plan of test areas A and B. 4 Site 5-S-25, Shagir Island, sections A-A1 (a) and B-B1 (b) of the crevice, Area A. 5 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, plan of the A-Group graves in the northern part of the large cemetery. 6 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 35, burial with finds. 7 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 38, burial with finds. 8 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 39, burials 39A and 39B, with finds. 9 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 42, burial 42A with finds. 10 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 42, burial 42B with finds. 11 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 50, burial with finds. 12 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 54, burial with finds. 13 Site 6-G-18, grave 55, burial with finds, plan and section. 14 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 56, burial with finds, plan and section. 15 Decorated A-Group pottery; sketches of red-painted designs on the interiors of dishes and shallow bowls. (a) 6-G-18, 56:4, dish, Type SJE AIIIc; (b) 6-G-18, 56:2, large dish, Type SJE AIIIc2; (c) 24-N-4, c:12, dish with rippled exterior, Type SJE AIVc; (d) 6-G-18, 50:3, dish, Type S JE AIIIc; (e) 6-G-18, 46:2, shallow bowl, Type SJE AIIIb; (f) 24-I-23, a:4, shallow bowl, Type SJE AIIIb. 16 Objects of stone and ceramic material from Early Nubian habitation sites. Stone grinders, scale 1:5: (a) 24-M-5, 0:3:2; (b) 6-B-6, 1. Hammer stone, scale 1:5: (c) 24-M-5, 0:3:1. Stone celt, scale 1:3: (d) 5-T-25, 1. Ceramic figure, scale 1:2: (e) 5-S-25, 1. 17 Stone objects from A-Group graves. Ointment jar of alabaster, scale 1:3: (a) 24-N-4, c:1. Incense burners, scale 1:5: (b) 6-G-18, 50:1; (c) 6-G-18, 42:2; (d) 24-N-4, c:2. 18 Stone mortars from A-Group graves, scale 1:5. (a) 24-N-4, c:5; (b) 6-G-18, 42:4; (c) 6-G-18, 55:12; (d) 6-G-18, 39:11; (e) 24-V-2, a:5. 19 Stone grinders from A-Group graves, scale 1:3. Stone grinders scale 1:3: (a) 24-N-4, c:4; (b) 6-G-18, 42:3. Large stone grinder, scale 1:5: (c) 24-M-7, 0:1. 20 Objects from A-Group cemeteries, scale 1:2. Mace head of stone: (a) 24-R-21, a:2. Copper awls: (b) 24-M-6, n:3; (c) 24-E-1, surface. 21 Stone palettes from A-Group graves. Predynastic palette of schist or greywacke, scale 1:2: (a) 24-M-6, n:2. Palettes of quartzite and similar rock material, scale 1:3: (b) 24-N-4, c:3; (c) 6-G-18, 36:1; (d) 24-V-2, a:1; (e) 24-M-4, b:1; (f) 24-N-4, e:3; (g) 24-M-5, 0:1.  22 Personal objects from A-Group graves. Bracelets of bone or shell, scale 1:2: (a) 6-G-18, 42:12; (b) 6-G-18, 55:14; (c) 24-N-4, e:8. Finger ring of bone, scale 1:1: (d) 24-M-4, b:2. Cylinder seal of ivory (?), scale 1:1: (e) 6-G-18, 55:15. 23 Distribution of the Middle Nubian sites in the West Bank Survey area. 24 Site 24-E-2, Faras West, plan and sections of the excavated area. The plan shows possible traces of two dwellings with low mud walls. Based on Verwers 1961, fig. 1. 25 Site 5-X-28, Gemai West, plan of the excavated area. Scale 1:100. 26 Site 5-X-28, Gemai West, section A-A1 of the excavated area. Scale 1:50. 27 Site 24-E-5, Faras West, plan of the C-Group cemetery. Scale 1:200. 28 Site 24-E-5, Faras West, grave 14e. First published in Verwers 1961, fig. 2. 29 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, plan of the C-Group cemetery. The plan shows the extent of Griffith’s excavations in 1910-12 and the location of the investigations of SAS-UNESCO in 1960. First published in Nordström 1962, fig. 1, p. 36. 30 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, C-Group cemetery, excavation 1960. Excavated area in the northern part of the site. First published in Nordström 1962, fig. 2, p. 37. 31 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, grave C2, plan and section. Scale 1:50. After a field drawing of L. P. Kirwan 1960.

x

16 21 27 28 39 41 42 42 44 44 46 47 48 49 51



52 55 56 55 55 57

58

62 63 66 66 67 68 70 71 73

32 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, find area C16E. Sketch plan showing the position of objects nos 1-4 and of bucrania I-V. 33 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, grave C24. Plan of the superstructure, showing the location of vessels nos 1-4 and 5a-b. 34 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, grave C31N. Sketch plan showing the position of vessels nos C31:2-6 outside the northern part of the superstructure. 35 Site 24-I-4, Faras West, grave 1, plan and section. Scale 1:50. 36 Site 6-G-20, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 3. Scale 1:20. Plan and section showing the lining of the shaft walls. 37 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa. Plan of the whole cemetery. Scale 1:400. The plan includes all the A-Group and C-Group graves and the location of Site 6-G-25. 38 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 17, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. 39 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, grave 26, burial. Scale 1:15. The plan indicates the remains of an animal skeleton and a straw mat. 40 Site 5-O-11, Abdel Qadir, grave 1, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. 41 Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, grave 1, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. The plan shows the remains of an animal skeleton. 42 Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, grave 2, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. 43 Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, grave 3, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. 44 Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, grave 7, burial with find. Scale 1:15. 45 Site 5-T-31, Abu Sir, grave 1, burial with finds. Scale 1:15. 46 Decorated C-Group pottery from Site 24-E-3, Faras West; bowls and necked jars. Scale 1:4 (a-c, e-g), 1:2 (d). (a) C17:4; (b) C16NW:3; (c) C37NE; (d) C24:4; (e) C23:1; (f) C31:4; (g) C21NE:1. 47 C-Group pottery bowls; decorative designs of Bietak’s phases Ia-b and IIa. (a) 24-R-13, 0:1, design SJE Ib4; (b) 24-M-6, Cc:2, design SJE Ib7; (c) 24-M-6, j:2, design SJE Ib7; (d) 24-R-13, 0:2, unique; (e) 24-M-6, i:1, design SJE Ia10; (f) 24-R-17, c:6, design SJE IIa15. 48 C-Group pottery bowls; decorative designs of Bietak’s phase IIa. (a) 24-M-6, vw:1, design SJE IIa8; (b) 24-M-6, z:1, design SJE IIa8; (c) 24-M-6, y:1, design SJE IIa8; (d) 24-E-5, 14g, design SJE IIa8; (e) 24-E-3, C22, design SJE IIa8; (f) 24-E-3, C37NE, design SJE IIa8; (g) 24-R-17, e:17, design SJE IIa9. 49 C-Group pottery bowls; decorative designs of Bietak’s phase IIa. (a) 6-G-18, 17:2, design SJE IIa9; (b) 24-E-3, C16NW:3, design SJE IIa9; (c) 24-E-3, C24:2, design SJE IIa9; (d) 24-R-17, a:3, design SJE IIa9; (e) 24-E-3, C17:4, design SJE IIa17; (f) 6-G-18, 0:1, design SJE IIa21. 50 C-Group pottery bowls; various decorative designs without phase designations. (a) 6-G-18, 0:2; (b) 6-G-18, 29:1; (c) 6-G-18, 0:7; (d) 24-E-3, C22N; (e) 24-R-13, 0:3. 51 Animal drawings on C-Group pottery. (a) 24-E-3, C24:5b. Drawings of cattle on the greenish-grey exterior surface of a portion of a large Egyptian jar. The lines are incised after the firing with a sharp pointed tool and the bottom of the grooves are pale brown in colour. (b) 24-E-3, C21 grave. Incised decoration and drawing (pre-firing) on the upper part of a Nubian jar. 52 Pottery from Pangrave and Kerma culture contexts. Scale 1:4. (a) 5-T-26, 2:4, Pangrave bowl of Type SJE PIVb; (b) 5-T-31, 1:2, Kerma bowl of Type SJE KIVb variant, with broad black top (not recorded); (c) 5-O-11, 1:1, wheel-made ovoid jar of Type SJE JO1; (d) 5-T-26, 2:1a, wheel-made necked jar, type not identified (this jar had a lid, no 2:1b). 53 Pharaonic pottery from C-Group contexts. Scale 1:4. (a) 6-G-18, 66:1, wheel-made plate, Type SJE PL8; (b) 24-M-6, l:8, wheel-made necked jar, type not identified. 54 Copper-alloy dagger and sharpener of hard stone from a C-Group burial, Site 24-E-3, Faras West, grave C1. Scale 1:2. 55 Distribution of the New Kingdom sites in the West Bank Survey area. The major Pharaonic fortresses are marked with squares. 56 Site 5-O-6, Abdel Qadir, plan of excavated stone quarry. Scale 1:100. Dotted fine lines indicate man-made quarry lines. Thick unbroken line indicates the limits of the quarry. Shaded fields indicate areas that were not quarried. 57 Site 5-O-13, Abdel Qadir, plan and section of excavated oven. Scale 1:15. 58 Site 24-D-1, Faras West, grave di, plan. Scale 1:20. From a drawing first published in Verwers 1961, fig. 4. 59 Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, plan and section of the New Kingdom chamber tomb. First published in Nordström 1962, fig. 3.

xi

74 77 78 80 95 96 98 99 107 108 108 109 110 110 112 114

114

114

114 115

116

116 117 122 123 123 128 135

60 Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, chamber B, burials A-F. Scale 1:20. 61 Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, chamber B, burials G-L. Scale 1:20. 62 New Kingdom pottery from Site 24-E-12, Faras West. Scale 1:4. (a) 17b:1, hand-made jar with ears; (b) 17b:3, pilgrim bottle, Type SJE AP1. 63 Map of the Wadi Halfa reach and the Second Cataract showing positions and names of the districts. 64 Distribution of Early Nubian sites recorded by the SAS-UNESCO mission (West bank) and the SJE (East bank). 65 Significant Early Nubian habitation sites in the northern part of the WBS and the SJE areas. 66 Significant Early Nubian habitation sites in the Second Cataract area, recorded by the WBS and the SJE. 67 Significant A-Group cemeteries in the northern part of the WBS and the SJE areas. 68 Significant A-Group cemeteries in the Second Cataract area. 69 Distribution of Middle Nubian sites recorded by the SAS-UNESCO mission (West bank) and the SJE (East bank). 70 Significant Middle Nubian cemeteries in the northern part of the WBS and the SJE areas. Major Pharaonic sites are marked with squares. 71 Significant Middle Nubian cemeteries and single graves recorded by the WBS and the SJE in the Second Cataract area. Mirgissa fortress is marked with a square. 72 Distribution of New Kingdom sites recorded by the SAS-UNESCO mission (West bank) and the SJE (East bank). Major Pharaonic fortresses marked with squares. Site 5-S-9, an extensive Middle Kingdom town site was located to the north east of Mirgissa fortress. 73 Significant New Kingdom mortuary sites in the northern part of the WBS and the SJE areas. Major Pharaonic fortresses are marked with squares. Note the location of the tombs of Djehuty-hotep and Amenemhet. 74 Significant New Kingdom sites in the Second Cataract area. The fortress of Mirgissa is marked with a square.

xii

136 137 141 148 149 150 151 151 152 153 154 154 155 156 157

List of Plates 1 The documentation of the archaeological data a. The documentation centre and the office of the UNESCO team in the Wadi Halfa Museum, 1961. b. A record of the digital unit catalogue set up by the author. 2 Early Nubian habitation sites a. Site 6-B-6, Argin. Cleared stone setting, from the north west. b. Site 5-S-25, Shagir Island. Test area A, cleared before excavation, from the south. c. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa. Square A1, level 1. Hearth in the western part with fish bones and potsherds. d. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa. Square B1, level 1. Hearth in the southern part. e. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa. Square A2, level 2. Hearth in the eastern part. 3 Graves on an Early Nubian campsite; A-Group graves in different sites a. Site 5-T-38, Matuga Island. Graves of later date on Early Nubian campsite, from the south east. b. Site 24-I-6, Faras West. Grave 20f, from the south. c. Site 24-M-6, Serra West. Grave n, from the north east. d. Site 6-G-16, Gezira Dabarosa. Grave 1, from the north. e. Site 24-I-6, Faras West. Grave 20e, from the north east. 4 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, Terminal A-Group cemetery and burials a. View of the excavated A-Group cemetery in the northern part of the site, from the west. b. Grave 35, burial and finds, from the north. c. Grave 35, jars 1 and 2, with remains of inverted bowl (1A) on top of no. 1, from the east. 5 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, Terminal A-Group graves a. Grave 38, burial and finds, from the north. b. Grave 39A-B, detail showing various finds: two inverted dishes (6A-B), an inverted bowl (5), stone mortar and grinder (11-12), and, in the background a bowl on its side (9). View from the north west. c. Grave 39A-B, burials and finds, from the north. 6 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, Terminal A-Group grave 42A-B a. Grave 42A, burial and finds, from the north east. b. Grave 42A, detail of upper part of burial, showing bracelets (11-12) around the lower arms and pottery bowls (no. 15 on the right), from the north east. c. Grave 42B, burial and finds, from the north east. d. Grave 42B, detail of south-western part, showing large pottery dish (16) and decorated bowls (6 and 7), from the north. 7.

Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, Terminal A-Group graves a. Grave 50, burial and finds, from the east. b. Grave 53, burial and find, from above. c. Grave 57, burial and finds, from above. d. Grave 54, burial and finds, from the north east.

8. Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, Terminal A-Group graves a. Grave 55, burial and finds, from the south east. b. Grave 55, silt mound covering shaft, from the north east. c. Grave 56, burial and finds, from the east. d. Grave 56, silt mound covering the shaft, from the north east. e. Grave 56, detail of burial and finds at the western end of the shaft, from the north. 9. Decorated potsherds and other finds from Early Nubian habitation sites a. Site 24-R-16, Debeira West, sherd decorated with rocker-stamp impressions. Ware M2.01. Width at rim 62mm. b. Site 6-F-3, Gezira Dabarosa, decorated sherds of Ware Family K and Ware H1.01 (upper left), lithic tools, and clay pendant (L: c. 40mm). c. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa, decorated sherds of Ware Family M, and round pottery disc (D: c. 40mm). Scale increment 50mm. d. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa, decorated sherds of Ware Families M and H. Scale increment 50mm. e. Site 5-T-38, Abu Sir, Matuga Island, decorated sherds of Ware Family M. Scale increment 10mm.

xiii

10 Decorated A-Group pottery vessels of Ware Family H a. 6-G-18, 55:7, Type SJE AIa. Rd: 150mm. b. 6-G-18, 41:1, Type SJE AIa16. H: 155mm. c. 6-G-18, 56:5, Type SJE AIXd3. H: 188mm. d. 6-G-18, 42:5A, Type SJE AIXd3. H:192mm. e. 6-G-18, 55:8, Type SJE AIXd. H: 182mm. f. Vessels with red painted decoration. From left: 6-G-18, 42:6; 6-G-18, 56:4 (Rd: 301-304mm); 6-G-18, 35:3. Foreground: 24-V-2, a:6. 11 Decorated A-Group pottery vessels; Imported Egyptian jars a. 6-G-18, 35:3, Type SJE AVIIIa, H: 160mm. b. 6-G-18, 55:6, Type SJE AVIIIa, H: 165mm. c. 6-G-18, 38:4, Type SJE AVIIIa, H: 138mm. d. 6-G-18, 42:6, Type SJE AVIIIa, H: 120mm. e. 6-G-18, 50:6, Type SJE AVIIIa, H: 137mm. f. A selection of imported Egyptian jars of Type SJE AXIq found in A-Group graves in the WBS area. 12 Various finds from A-Group burials a. From left: 6-G-18, 50:1, incense burner, sandstone; 6-G-18, 42:2, incense burner, gypsum; 24-N-4, c:2, incense burner, sandstone. b. 6-G-18, 38:5, amulet pendants representing scorpions, of carnelian and milky quartz. Average L: 32mm. c. 24-N-4, c:1, ointment jar, alabaster. H: 67mm. d. 6-G-18, 42:13, amulet pendants, faience and carnelian. Average L: 9mm. e. 6-G-18, 42:11-12, bracelets of shell. Average D: 59-62mm. 13 C-Group cemeteries in Faras West a. Site 24-E-3. Overview of cemetery, from the north, showing cleared outlines of superstructures. Modern bench mark in the foreground to the left. The Nile in the far background. b. Site 24-E-5, grave 14a, vaulted mud-brick chamber, from the north east. c. Site 24-E-3, pottery offerings outside the superstructure of grave C17, from the north west. 14 Site 24-E-3, Faras West, C-Group cemetery; finds outside superstructures a. Grave C24, pottery vessels outside the superstructure, from the north east. b. Grave C31, vessels nos 2-6 outside the superstructure. At arrow in the upper left corner a bucranium in situ. View from the north. c. Find area C16E, bucrania and broken pottery vessels in the sand, from the east. 15 Site 24-M-6, Serra West, C-Group cemetery; superstructures, burials and finds a. Superstructures and grave shafts, under excavation, from the south. b. Grave Bb, burial. c. Grave m SE, burial with copper-alloy mirror (at arrow). d. Find area vw, child burial designated “E of grave w”. e. Grave a, burial A. Spacers partially in situ in sand fill. f. Grave h, ten bucrania placed in a row, from the north. g. Grave c, burial. h. Grave h, bucrania, from the south east, with the remains of superstructure and grave in the background (cf. Plate 15f). 16

Site 24-R-17, Serra West, C-Group graves; Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, C-Group cemetery during excavation



a. Site 24-R-17, Serra West, graves b and d, with pottery vessels outside the superstructures, from the south east. b. Site 24-R-17, Serra West, grave g, burial with bracelet, from the west. c. Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, clearing of the northern part of the cemetery.

d. Site 6-G-18, southern part after excavation, from the north east. e. Site 6-G-18, graves 20 and 26, from the north.

17 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, C-Group cemetery; burials a. Grave 17, detail of burial showing the decorated bowl (17:2) in situ. View from the west. b. Graves 44A (upper) and 44B, burials and finds in situ. View from the south west. c. Grave 45, burial of a juvenile, from the west. d. Grave 11, burial and the remains of an animal skeleton. e. Grave 61, burial. f. Grave 66, burial with large inverted dish.

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18 Site 6-G-18, Gezira Dabarosa, C-Group burials; Middle Nubian burials in the southern part of the WBS area a. Site 6-G-18, grave 72, burial. b. Site 6-G-18, grave 85, burial with bracelet in situ. c. Site 6-G-18, grave 88, burial with bracelet in situ. d. Site 6-G-18, grave 84, burial with pottery jar in situ. e. Site 6-G-18, grave 97, burial with pottery jar in situ. f. Site 6-G-18, grave 102, burial. g. Site 5-O-11, Abdel Qadir, grave 1, burial with Kerma pottery in situ. View from the north west. h. Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, grave 3, burial with pottery jar in situ, from the south west. i. Site 5-T-31, Abu Sir, grave 1, burial with Kerma pottery in situ, from the south west. 19 C-Group pottery; plain and decorated bowls of Types SJE CIII, CIV, and CV a. 24-E-3, C24:3, Type SJE CIVa1. Rd: 102mm. b. 24-E-3, C17:5, Type SJE CIVb1. Rd: 142mm. c. 24-E-3, C17:6, Type SJE CIVb6. Rd: 172mm. d. 24-E-3, C31:3, Type SJE CIVb2. Rd: 138mm. e. 24-E-3, C31:5, Type SJE CIVb4B. Rd: 145-150mm. f. 24-E-3, C24:4, not typed. H: 58mm. g. 24-M-6, float, Type SJE CIVb, decorated. Rd: 240mm. h. 24-E-3, C17:4, Type SJE CIIIb. Rd: 120mm. i. 24-E-3, C37NE, Type SJE CIIIb. Rd: 130-135mm. j. 24-R-17, a:3, Type SJE CVb. Rd: 130mm. k. 24-E-3, C31:6, Type SJE CIIIa. Rd: 100mm. l. 6-G-18, 74:1, Type SJE CIIIb. m. 24-M-6, j:2, Type SJE CVb. Rd: 156mm. n. From left: 24-R-17, c:6, Type SJE CIIIb, Rd: 100mm; 24-M-6, y:1, Type SJE CIIIb, Rd: 132mm; 6-G-18, 0:1, Type SJE CVa. 20

C-Group pottery; decorated bowls of Type SJE CIII and plain, necked jars of Type SJE CI



a. 6-G-18, 17:2, bowl with preserved white fill, Type SJE CIIIb. H: 84mm.

b. 6-G-18, 0:3, BP bottle with neck collar, H: c. 84mm; 6-G-18, 29:1, Type SJE CIIIb, Rd: 137-147mm. c. 24-E-3, C25SE, Type SJE CIe2. H: 123mm. d. 24-E-3, C30NE, Type SJE CIe2. H: 225mm. e. 24-E-3, C17:2, Type SJE CIe2. H: 218mm. f. 24-E-3, C23:2, Type SJE CIe2, burnished variant. H: 144mm. g. 24-E-3, C35:1, Type SJE CIh. H: 174mm. h. 24-E-3, C31:1, Type SJE CIh. H: c. 130mm.

21. C-Group necked jars, plain and decorated of Type SJE CIe a (left). 6-G-18, 17:1, Type SJE CIe2 with tall neck. H: 144mm. b (right). 24-E-3, C19NE, Type SJE CIe1. H: 194mm. c. 24-E-3, C23:1, Type SJE CIe1. H: 165mm. d. 24-E-3, C1 grave:1, Type SJE CIe1. H 165mm. e. 24-E-3, C31:4, Type SJE CIe1. H: 201mm. f (left). 24-E-3, C21NE:1, jar with drawings of human figures, Type CIe1. Md: 190mm. g (right). Same vessel, with drawings of human figure and bird. 22 Pharaonic wheel-made pottery found in C-Group graves a. 24-E-5, 14a, Type SJE CC3 or 5. Rd: 158mm. b. 24-E-3, C16E:2, Type SJE FU. Md: c. 210mm. c. 24-E-3, C2:grave, Type SJE TB2. H: 125mm. d. 24-R-17, d:7, Type SJE NJ (variant). H: 236mm. e. 24-M-6, vw:4, Type SJE CS. H: 95mm. f. 24-E-3, C20W:1, Type SJE GJ1. H: 189mm. g. 24-E-3, C16E:4, Type SJE GJ1 (VP). H: 134mm. h. 6-G-18, 97:1, Type SJE GJ2. H: 148mm. 23 Imported Egyptian and foreign jars found in C-Group and Middle Nubian Kerma graves a (left). 24-E-3, C17:3, Type SJE GJ1 (VP/0). H: 286mm. b (right). 24-E-3, C14:1, Type SJE JB1. H: 350mm. c. 24-E-3, C24:5, Type SJE GJ1. H: c. 600-650mm. d. 24-M-6, Cc:4, Type SJE SJ2 (approx.). H: 510mm. e. 5-S-3, gr. 1. Palestinian amphora, Type SJE AO. This site is equivalent to Cemetery M.III of the French mission.

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24 Various finds of Middle Nubian origin a. Site 5-O-11, Abdel Qadir, (left) 1:2, beaker Type SJE KIVb, H: 128mm; (right) 1:1, ovoid jar Type SJE JO1, H: 177mm. b. Site 5-T-26, Abu Sir, (left) 7:1, beaker Type SJE KIVb, H: 132mm; (right) 1:1, globular jar Type SJE GJ2, H: 204mm. c. Site 24-I-4, Faras West, 1:1. Unique pottery bowl with a deeply incised groove pattern, forming a spiral starting at the centre of the base. This site is attributed to the group of Transitional cemeteries recovered by the Scandinavian Joint Expedition on the East bank (Säve-Söderbergh 1989, pl. 38:3-4). d. Site 24-V-4, Argin, grave b. Six scarabs found in the disturbed fill of the grave pit. 25 Various finds from C-Group graves in Faras West (Site 24-E-3), Serra West (24-M-6) and Debeira West (24-R-17) a. 24-E-3, grave C1, 3-4, copper-alloy dagger (3) with ivory hilt and sharpener (4) of schist or similar rock material. L of blade: 163mm. b. 24-R-17, f:1, copper-alloy dagger and hilt of ivory. L of blade: 141mm. c. 24-M-6, grave m(SE), mirror of copper alloy. D horizontally: 165mm. d. 24-E-3, C33:1, female pottery figure. L: 103mm. e. 24-E-3, find area C16E:3, head of human figure of ceramic material. H: 47mm, side view. f. same, front view. g. 24-E-3, find area C16E: II, bucranium, side view. h. same, front view. 26 Structural remains in Abdel Qadir and Mirgissa, of New Kingdom date a .Site 5-O-6, Abdel Qadir, sandstone quarry. The fortress on Dorginarti is seen in the background. View from the south west. b. Site 5-O-6, sandstone quarry after excavation, view from the south. c. Site 5-O-13, Abdel Qadir, cooking pit or oven lined with fired mud and pieces of mud brick. Outer D: c. 0.7m. d. Site 5-S-16, Mirgissa. House structures, probably of Pharaonic New Kingdom date. 27 Single graves located in rock crevices or spaces lined with stone slabs, of New Kingdom date a. Site 24-D-1, Faras West, grave ai, from the south. b. Site 24-I-10, Faras West, grave g, child burial with pottery amphora, from the north east. c. Site 24-I-11, Faras West, grave bii, with pottery vessel, from the north west. d. Site 24-I-12, Faras West, grave a, burial of a young person, with pottery vessels, from the north east. e. Site 6-B-11, Argin, grave 1, from the north. f. Site 6-B-12, Argin, grave 1, child burial with pottery vessel, from the south east. 28 Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, New Kingdom chamber tomb a. Chamber tomb after excavation, view from the north east. b. Chamber A, remains of mud-brick vault in the western part, on top of fill. View from the east. c. Entrance shaft (foreground) and Chamber A, after excavation. View from the east. d. Closed opening between Chambers A and B, from the south east. e. Chamber B, pottery vessels B1-B3 in situ, from the north. 29. Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, New Kingdom chamber tomb a. Chamber B, burials A-F with finds, from the north west. b. Chamber B, burials G-K, from the north west. 30

New Kingdom grave, Mirgissa. Sentinel huts of New Kingdom date in Abu Sir and Gemai West

a. Site 5-S-18, Mirgissa. Single grave with pottery vessel. View from above, scale 1m. b. Site 5-T-11, Abu Sir, Group 6. Sentinel hut overlooking the central parts of the Second Cataract, from the west. c. Site 5-T-22, Abu Sir. Sentinel hut with a view of the desert, from the east. d. Site 5-T-11, Abu Sir, Group 1. Sentinel hut, after excavation, from the north. e. Site 5-X-25, Gemai West, Group 1. Sentinel hut overlooking the southern parts of the Second Cataract with Mirgissa visible at the horizon. View from the south.

31 New Kingdom pottery, selected vessel types of Nile fabrics. Type designations: Holthoer 1977 a. 5-T-11, GR 6:1. Type SJE CU1. Rd: 144mm. b. 5-T-32, B:14. Type SJE CU1. Rd: 198mm. c. 24-I-12, 26a:2. Type SJE CU1. Rd: 158-162mm. d. 24-I-11, 25bii:1. Type SJE CU1. Rd: 210mm. e. 6-B-11, 1:1. Type SJE GO1 variant. H: 93mm. f. 24-I-12, 26d. Type SJE GO1. H: 117mm.

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g. 24-E-12, e. Type SJE GO1. H: 111mm. h. 24-H-5, 1:1. Type SJE GO1. H: 113mm. i. 5-S-18, 1:1. Type SJE GO variant. H: 80mm. j. 5-T-9, 1:2. Type SJE BR1. H: 61mm. k. 5-T-32, B:1. Type SJE BB4. H: 243mm.

32 New Kingdom pottery, selected vessel types of marl fabrics. Type designations: Holthoer 1977 a. 24-E-13, a:2 (19a). Type SJE GO1. H: 87mm. b. 24-I-10, 24b. Type SJE GO1. H: 83mm. c. 24-I-12, 26c. Type SJE GO1. H: 91mm. d. 24-I-12, 26a:1. Type SJE NJ1-2. H: 130mm. e. 24-I-10, 24g. Type SJE AO variant. H: 161mm. f. 24-E-12, a. Type SJE CV1. H 128mm. g. 24-E-12, c:1. Type SJE AP1, decorated. H: 238mm. h. 24-I-11, bii:2. Type SJE BO1. H: 158mm. i. 24-M-8, 1. Type approximately SJE BO. H: 162mm. 33 Amulets and scarabs of New Kingdom date a. Amulets from different graves, Faras West (not in the object catalogue). b. Scarabs from graves in Faras West, obverse side. (1) 24-E-12, c; (2) 24-I-11, bii; (3) 24-I-13, c. c. Same as b, reverse side. d. Site 5-T-32, Abu Sir, chamber tomb. Scarabs from Chamber B, obverse side. (1) Loose find from the Matuga region, probably from this site; (2-7) Finds nos B:6-9 and B:11-12 (6=B:6).



e. Same as d, reverse side.

Abbreviations

CPU SAS SJE WBS

Combined Prehistoric Expedition Sudan Antiquities Service Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia West Bank Survey

Numerous abbreviations are used in the find catalogues referring to the descriptions of pottery fabrics and wares and also to the properties of shapes and parts of the vessels and the elements of decoration. The various pottery types of the Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic periods are also identified with the help of code designations. All these are used with reference to the classifications presented in the publications of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia and presented here, in abbreviated form, in Chapter 2.

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xviii

1. INTRODUCTION

The scope and circumstances of this volume

of archaeological fieldwork in Sweden before the Nubian mission. I arrived in Nubia in April 1960, joining the UNESCO team directed by Dr William Y. Adams. A third member of the team was a young archaeologist from the Netherlands, G. J. Verwers, who stayed until the spring of 1961. Mr Verwers worked in the field between Faras at the Sudan-Egyptian border and Gezira Dabarosa, a village opposite Wadi Halfa town. I worked in Faras, Argin, Gezira Dabarosa and, further south, in Abdel Qadir, Abu Sir, Mirgissa and Gemai, including a number of islands in the western part of the extensive Second Cataract. I excavated sites of all periods, including structures of Late Christian date, but concentrated my archaeological research on the earlier periods, especially the Early and Middle Nubian pottery. Upon my return to Sweden in 1966 I was employed by Uppsala University to work as an assistant editor under Professor Säve-Söderbergh with the extensive publishing project of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia. This enterprise resulted in 14 volumes of text and illustrations where scholars from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden made major contributions in various fields of Nubian archaeology and history (The Scandinavian Joint Expedition to Sudanese Nubia, Publications, Volumes 1-9, 1970-91). Besides taking part in this project I had the benefit of using the Nubian material, especially the pottery, in my research on Early Nubian cultures, which was summarised in a PhD thesis (Nordström 1972a). In 1977 I was awarded the title Associate Professor at Uppsala University. I was entirely out of the Nubian field during most of the 1980s up to 1994, occupied with other appointments and obligations. From 1994 to my retirement at the end of 1998 I was appointed to hold the responsibility for the Nubian collections and archives belonging to the Scandinavian Joint Expedition and kept in Uppsala under the custody of the university. This post was financed entirely by the Royal Academy of Lettres, History and Antiquities in Sweden. In April 2004, several years after my retirement, I started the work on this volume visiting William Y. and Nettie Adams in their home in Lexington, Kentucky, where I could go through a number of records. I subsequently brought back to Sweden all the relevant material, field notes, original maps, copies of photographs, card files of sites and objects, etc. In Sweden I had in my custody a number of notes, drawings, and catalogue cards of the Early and Middle Nubian pottery – these records were made in Wadi Halfa and Khartoum in 1960-65. In addition I got all the negatives of the field and the photographs of the collections brought over from the Sudan Archaeological Research Society in London – this facilitated to a very large degree the preparation of the illustrations. It is evident that the delay of this final publication of the SAS-UNESCO mission has many reasons. This has

This volume is the last to be printed in a series describing in detail the results of the so-called West Bank Survey, an archaeological survey in the northernmost part of Sudanese Nubia, undertaken on the West Bank between the villages of Faras in the north and Gemai in the south during the period 1960-64. This project was carried out in anticipation of the flooding of the Aswan High Dam. It was financed and equipped by the Sudan Antiquities Service (SAS) and directed by personnel employed by UNESCO. A full description of the project appears in Vol. 2 of this series (Adams 2004, 1-21). The whole series has been divided into three volumes, no. 2 including sites from the Meroitic and Ballana periods (Adams 2004), no. 3 including sites of the Christian age (Adams 2005), while the present volume, no. 1, consists of detailed descriptions of sites and finds of the Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic New Kingdom periods. The descriptions appearing in this volume deal principally with habitation sites of various kinds and mortuary sites from the major periods in question. These are arranged here in chronological order in three descriptive chapters while the sites in each chapter are listed in geographical order, from north to south. The Early Nubian sites are accounted for in Chapter 3 and include the Khartoum Variant, Abkan and A-Group periods (c. 60003000 BC). Chapter 4 includes the Middle Nubian sites (c. 2200-1500 BC) mainly belonging to the C-Group culture and with important additions of the Pangrave and Kerma cultures and also of the so-called Transitional Cemeteries. The Pharaonic sites, mainly of New Kingdom date, are described in Chapter 5. In addition, there are a few sites that do not fall within these categories, such as pits and some structural remains – these are described in Chapter 6 under the heading “Miscellaneous sites”. According to a special agreement the Pharaonic inscriptions and the rock drawings initially recorded by the UNESCO team were handed over to the German Mission (Otto and Buschendorf-Otto 1993) for detailed documentation and analysis. These sites are listed in Chapters 5 and 6, respectively. My basic aim in this volume is to present all available and relevant data from the survey and excavations of the SAS-UNESCO mission within the chronological parameters indicated above, with the hope that this information can be used in future research. In addition, an attempt is made in Chapter 7 to summarise the spatial and cultural distribution of the sites from the periods treated here, including the findings of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition that carried through full-scale investigations on the East Bank along the same reach of the Nile. The present writer was trained in North-European prehistory and early history, with several years experience 1

already been explained by my senior colleague W.Y. Adams (2004, 19). For my own part I can state, with no regrets, that the project has sometimes been interrupted due to other important obligations. The work to assemble and interpret the documentation in the field books and in some of the catalogues has taken a substantial amount of time and effort, especially regarding some sites in the districts of Faras and Serra that I did not see or investigate myself. Much work followed my decision to make a full-scale database of the sites, units and objects (see below), but in the end this facilitated to a considerable degree the control of and access to the numerous data. Furthermore, although I have got valuable advice from professional people in my vicinity, I have had no external professional assistance in finishing the manuscript, the maps, the drawings, and the photographs before they were sent to the editor for the final, comprehensive preparation for the printing – nearly all is produced in my home with the help of my wife Lena and with my own equipment. I am the only one to be held responsible if any errors appear.

better. The absence of osteological data from the numerous burials is something to regret. Secondly, the catalogues of the finds were worked out in Wadi Halfa and Khartoum. A number of drawings of selected pottery shapes and decorations and of other finds were made in pencil. All the objects are now kept in Khartoum at the Sudan National Museum and I have not had the opportunity to re-view any of the finds since 1965, apart from a very brief encounter in 1999. This lack of “check-up” has of course influenced the completeness and the quality of the records, but all efforts have been made to keep a reasonable level of accuracy. As a consequence, there are comparatively few drawings of pottery vessels that I have selected for publication.

The fieldwork

1. The site catalogue. This is made up of the 128 sites recorded and investigated by the SAS-UNESCO mission and dated in the Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic New Kingdom periods. The data fields include location, preservation, extent, date, site documentation etc. Each record is linked to the catalogues of the units and the objects. 2. The unit catalogue (Plate 1b) consists of all excavated graves and other units, 391 records in all, from the different periods and is organised in data fields with descriptions of unit type, superstructure, grave shaft, various features of the burial etc. There are links to the catalogues of the sites and the objects. 3. The object catalogue includes 771 entries of all objects from the different periods and is organised in fields with descriptions and measurements of the various categories, where pottery forms the largest category. There are fields of object types, preservation, material, description of decoration and other details, etc. There are links to the catalogues of the units and the sites.

The database The site and unit descriptions, the object catalogues, the tables, and the illustrations have been organised with the help of the database manager FileMaker Pro (versions 5.0 and 7.0). The groups of these numerous data that were set up in 2004 and onwards were the following:

In Volume 2 of this series (Adams 2004) there is a full account of the evolution of the West Bank survey including the organisation and priorities of the excavations and the set-up of the first documentation office at the museum in Wadi Halfa (Plate 1a). The actual fieldwork concerning the Early and Middle Nubian periods started in February 1960 when L.P. Kirwan assisted by W.Y. Adams investigated some known sites in the Faras district, including selected units in the large C-Group cemetery 24-E-3. This cemetery was the only major site from the Middle Nubian period previously known in the region. On the whole, apart from the major Pharaonic temples and fortresses, there were very few remains known on the West Bank that could be dated within the periods dealt with in this volume. Our survey and the excavations of sites proceeded generally from north to south along the river and up onto the desert plateau at about the 150m level. In a few cases only we carried through a complete excavation of a site, while other sites of significance were handed over to foreign missions within their respective concessions. The reader is referred to the more detailed account of the site distribution that can be found in text and tables in the beginning of each descriptive chapter below.

The total amount of data from the three catalogues amount to more than 35,000 records. All fields in each catalogue can be searched (free text, numerical, statistical) in different combinations and the results can be listed and sorted in various ways. A catalogue can also include so-called container fields with illustrations. FileMaker is a relational database program, which means that all data in the fields in the different catalogues can be connected together, allowing the user to search data in advanced combinations, including, for example, the location of a grave in a cemetery, the type of a burial, and the occurrence of specific types of pottery and other finds. In addition, each catalogue can be presented in a number of different layouts that the user himself may design in the form of record cards, statistical overviews or plain lists and tables of selected data. A computer disk with a version of the database briefly described above, presented in FileMaker and MS Excel,

The organisation of the data The data forming the base of this volume were originally composed of a number of elements. First there were the field notes, including verbal descriptions of the sites and the units and the proceedings of the survey and the excavations, complemented by plans and maps drawn in pencil and by numerous photographs. The quality of the field data varied – sometimes lack of time and pressure to move on with the survey had the result that the documentation became rather poor. In other cases, when we had the possibility to choose and knew how to make priorities, the excavations and the data collection became 2

will be deposited in the archive of the Sudan Archaeological Research Society housed in the British Museum.

All negatives and their original card files are now kept in the SARS archive at the British Museum. There is also an Excel file of the field photographs prepared by W. Y. Adams. All data on this file have in turn been transferred by the present author to a register in FileMaker Pro, where the records can be searched and sorted in multiple ways.

The organisation of the photographic record When the fieldwork started in 1960 there were very few photographic facilities at the museum in Wadi Halfa. A darkroom with basic equipment did not exist – the first 35mm rolls from the field were taken with our private cameras and brought to Khartoum for processing. In order to improve this situation we set up a list for photographic equipment, which was promptly supplied by UNESCO. During the course of the second season in 1960-61 we got a nice darkroom built within the premises of the Wadi Halfa museum and this was furnished with an air conditioner and equipment for developing and printing black-and-white films. We got a number of field cameras for 6 x 6cm film and also a splendid Linhof camera for more advanced photography in the studio and in the field. It should be pointed out that none of the UNESCO team had any formal training in photography or darkroom work. In the staff of the museum there was Arbab Hassan Hafiz who served as a museum assistant and photographer. It fell to the present writer to take the responsibility for developing films and producing copies of all the pictures taken in the field and later on of the pictures taken of the find material in the museums in Wadi Halfa and Khartoum. I still have in my possession two spotted handbooks of photographic theory and technique, bought in Sweden in 1960. These proved to be indispensable since I had to learn the techniques from scratch, later on transferring this basic knowledge to my colleagues. Our photographic documentation was of course an essential complement to the drawings and the written records. The developing procedures had to be accurate, the results aiming toward a sustainable archive standard. This work demanded complete attention: the required temperature of the fluids was 18-20°C, which was difficult to keep during the warmer season even in the airconditioned darkroom. Therefore, the fluids were stored during the night in a refrigerator in our house and brought wrapped-up to the darkroom where the work was carried through without delay in the morning. The organisation of the photographic material was another essential part of this documentation process. Each film roll from the field was designated with the prefix F (for field) and numbered in a consecutive order from 001. Each frame within each roll got in turn a consecutive number, written in black ink at the edge. In that way every picture got a unique number. A card file keeps the record of all this, including provenience and date. The complete documentation of field photographs amounted to over 3000 frames at the end of the UNESCO mission. The photographs of the collections were organised in the same way. All these were designated with the prefix C (for collection) with a consecutive number for each film roll and for each frame. The C-series amounted to c. 40 rolls of 35mm film and a sizeable number of photographs taken with the Linhof camera.

Acknowledgements The preparation of this volume has been a long journey along the river of time. Often the boat has got stuck for a while on a silt bank, sometimes it has been travelling along rather nicely, without interference. After all, it took only nine years! The encounter with the Nubians living in the Wadi Halfa reach many thousand of years ago has been particularly fascinating. In a few cases I feel that I have got a glimpse of the social persona of the individuals buried in the ancient cemeteries, especially the ones living in a culture that we now call the A-Group. This has undoubtedly given me a feeling of profound responsibility, even the stamina, to finish this publication project. The relationship with many of the persons I worked with in Nubia, with their kind and generous personalities, was extremely inspiring. I want to mention in particular Jean Vercoutter, Hassan Thabit Hassan, Negm el-Din Sherif, Gemal Ahmed Hassan, Arbab Hassan Hafiz, Abdou Fereik, and Youssef Mohammed Youssef. From April 1960 and onwards, during a number of field seasons, I shared the camp with Bill and Nettie Adams and their growing family – it was a privilege to work with them in the assiduous, professional yet gentle atmosphere that they created (where “beer-time” before dinner always came as a relief for a young man like me). These Nubian years have developed into a lasting and rewarding friendship for which I am deeply grateful. The collaboration in the field with Bengt Schönbäck and other members of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition was very constructive. We worked on opposite sides of the river but had very much in common discussing find material and site chronology. When I later, in 1966, joined the SJE to take part in the writing and editing of the publications, I had the immense benefit of working side by side with my distinguished mentor Torgny Säve-Söderbergh – these years had a decisive influence on me as a scholar. The Royal Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities in Sweden supported my work with this volume from the very beginning, especially with travel grants. The Academy also played a vital part in making possible my return to the Nubian field in 1994 – for this I am for ever indebted. In this context I wish to express my sincere appreciation of my late colleague Francis Geus and my gratitude to Maria Carmela Gatto for invaluable advice on Nubian matters, especially the complexity of the A-Group. The friendly and helpful team of SARS and the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at The British Museum, with Vivian Davies and Neal Spencer at the helm, has always made me feel at home. I am deeply indebted to Derek Welsby, the editor of this SARS series, in appreciation of his creative and efficient work and great sense of 3

accuracy and for his almost unbelievable patience with my many delays. Many thanks also to Isabella Welsby Sjöström who helped with transports of pictures and books and to Marianne Yohannes who made some of the burial drawings ready for publication. The summary was kindly translated into Arabic by Dr el-Ghazafi Yousif Ishag of the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in Khartoum. Finally my family: my wife Lena finished a number of drawings and compiled the bibliography. I know very well that without her firm yet gentle encouragement this project would probably not have been completed. I dedicate this volume to her with love and gratitude.

4

2. TERMINOLOGY AND CLASSIFICATIONS

Description of the sites and units

and well-structured classification of the wheel-made Pharaonic pottery forms recovered on the East bank by the Scandinavian Joint Expedition (Holthoer 1977). All references to the chronology of the Nubian C-Group rely on Manfred Bietak’s splendid analysis and classification of the decorated C-Group pottery (Bietak 1968).

The sites are generally described according to a standard format used in all three volumes of the West Bank Survey series. First there are data about the location, preservation, extent and date of the site. The second part includes a detailed description of the excavated units and the finds catalogue of each unit. The third part is made up of data concerning the site documentation, including reference to the archaeologist, the field notes, photographs, and previously published reports. There are very few code designations included here in the reports of the sites and their units. The features of grave superstructures, the shafts and the burials themselves are described in detail in ordinary language – only one type of superstructure has got an abbreviation, RW, for the circular wall of sandstone slabs diagnostic of the classic C-Group grave. The finds catalogues which can be found under each unit are usually following a certain format and consist of descriptions of object type, preservation, material, shape, special features, and measurements in mm. Code designations are used to a high degree as regards the pottery catalogues. The objects are always described in the numerical order assigned by the archaeologist in charge of the site – no re-numbering has taken place. In Appendices A-C at the end of this volume there is a comprehensive list of the objects with their corresponding accession number of the Sudan National Museum.

The pottery fabrics

The different fabrics occurring in the Early Nubian, Middle Nubian and Pharaonic pottery found in the Wadi Halfa reach are described in detail by the present author (Nordström 1972b, 48ff.). Only a shortened version is given here of the current classification.

Definitions The term fabric is used as a group designation for all the physical and chemical properties of the clay and the nonplastic inclusions in a ceramic material, as well as for all relevant technological features of the finished product. The fabric properties analysed are as follows: 1. Ground mass, which is made of all components smaller than 60µ, i.e. fractions of clay and silt. 2. Nonplastic inclusions, which consist of particles naturally included in a clay or intentionally added by the potter as a filler. The most common inclusions are: a. minerals and rocks (e.g. quartz, feldspar, limestone) consisting of sand grains with varying degree of roundness, or of more or less angular grains from crushed rock; b. organic material (chopped straw, cow dung, and traces of another organic substance); c. shell (crushed pieces of shell); d. grog (particles of fired pottery). 3. Colour of the fracture (generally the colour of the groundmass). 4. Hardness of the paste. 5. Porosity. 6. Transversal strength. 7. Firing index (an estimate of the combination of temperature and length of firing).

Classifications of the pottery For the descriptions of the different features of the pottery which have been catalogued or listed in this volume I use the same methods, classifications and designations worked out long ago for the publications of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition, Volume 3 (Nordström 1972b), Volume 4 (Säve-Söderbergh 1989) and Volume 5:1 (Holthoer 1977; Nordström 1977). A first attempt was made in 1961-62 when a preliminary classification of A-Group pottery was presented by myself on the basis of the finds from the cemetery 6-G18 (Nordström 1962, 51-56). Several efforts were made in the following years to extend this scheme in various ways with the aim to include all handmade pottery from the Early and Middle Nubian periods into one system. Finally, sustainable classifications of fabrics, wares, shapes, decoration, and pottery types were worked out in 1965-72 on the basis of the material from the West Bank Survey, from the collections of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition and also from studies of pottery kept at the National Museum of Khartoum (Nordström 1972b, 33-93). The wheel-made wares of Pharaonic origin were later included in the scheme (Nordström 1977). Concurrently, Rostislav Holthoer made a comprehensive

The ferruginous fabrics of the handmade pottery Fabric IA Fine or somewhat silty ferruginous clay tempered with a well sorted mixture of partially crushed quartz and feldspar. The groundmass is dense and homogeneous with a light brown or pale reddish-brown colour. Diagnostic of Khartoum Variant pottery wares (Family K). Fabric IB Fabric similar in composition and colour to Fabric IA, with conspicuous inclusions of mica, mainly consisting of light muscovite scales in sizes up to 500µ. Diagnostic 5

of Khartoum Variant pottery wares (Family K).

soft and crumbly, IID being dense and hard. Both are diagnostic of the wheel-made wares of Ware Group W1 (see below) and correspond to Nile B2 in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 171-173).

Fabric IC Relatively silty, ferruginous clay tempered with a generally well sorted but rather heterogeneous mixture of mainly sub-angular and sub-rounded grains of quartz and feldspar, and with inclusions of mica and various minor constituents along with characteristic irregular carbon particles. Diagnostic of Abkan pottery wares (Family M).

The fabrics of the calceo-ferruginous marl clays Fabric IVA The paste is made of a relatively fine calceo-ferruginous (marl) clay available in the Egyptian part of the Nile Basin. It is always tempered with crushed fragments of fine-grained limestone. The fractures are usually clean and fairly even. The firing temperature can be estimated at c. 800º C and the colour of the groundmass is pale to light red or light grey. It is equivalent to Marl A1 in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 176).

Fabric ID Silty ferruginous clay with a porous groundmass intermixed with badly sorted soil material with inclusions of quartz, feldspar, granitic rock, sometimes also fine-grained limestone and flakes of mica. The fractures are crumbly and uneven. Colour usually dark or dusky greyish-brown or wholly black. This fabric occurs in A-Group pottery of Family H and also in some Pangrave pottery.

Fabric IVB The paste is basically the same as in Fabric IVA. The aplastic inclusions consist of fine-to-medium textured sand while limestone particles are not conspicuous. Firing temperature is estimated at 800-850º C. The colour of the groundmass is light red or grey, and the fractures are generally clean. This fabric corresponds to Marl A4 in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 177-8)

Fabric IE Somewhat silty ferruginous clay or a mixture of clays with characteristic inclusions of fine sand of an even textual gradation. Well fired. Equivalent to the fine sandy fabric of Egyptian Predynastic origin (Vienna System Nile A, see Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 170f.). Basic fabric in Ware Family N in the classification summarised below.

Fabric VA The paste is made up of a finely levigated, homogeneous marl clay with inclusions of sand particles of fineto-medium texture. Firing temperature is estimated at 1050-1100º C. The colour of the groundmass is pale green or greenish-grey and the fractures are usually sharp and clean. This fabric corresponds to Marl A3 in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 177).

Fabric IIA The paste is tempered with ash and small black fragments of carbonised material can be seen. Porous and relatively silty, with inclusions of quartz and feldspar in the fine sand fraction. Colour usually black or dusky grey. This fabric is diagnostic of some pottery of Middle A-Group date (e.g. Ware H4.11a).

Characteristics of the wares

Fabric IIB The paste is dung-tempered (organic elongated particles usually smaller than 2mm in length); in some cases the dung-like particles may be traces of fungi (Noll 1981, 114, with reference). Colour usually black or dusky grey, often with distinct oxidation zones with a black core and lighter shades of brown at the surfaces. This fabric is diagnostic of many handmade pottery wares of Early and Middle Nubian origin, for example H1.01, H2.11, and H4.11.

Properties and definitions The ware properties have been fully analysed and described by the present author (Nordström 1972b, 57ff.). The principal properties of the surface are as follows: 1. Basic colour of the surface (not including partial coating or decoration). 2. Surfaced coating (kind and colour of the coating, e.g. wash of red ochre or slip of light clay). 3. Texture (uncompacted, with coarse, scraped, or smooth surfaces or compacted with burnished or well polished surfaces). 4. Lustre (mat, low lustre, high glossy lustre).

Fabric IIE The paste is chaff-tempered. Texture and composition similar to Fabrics IIA and IIB. Colour usually black with relatively distinct oxidation zones at the surface.

A ware is defined as a combination of technological features (one fabric or a set of closely related fabrics) and a specific set of surface properties (basic colour, surface coating, texture, and lustre), sometimes also with all-over decoration. A ware group is a set of closely related wares, classified according to their basic surface colour and surface texture, characterised by one fabric, or a set of closely related fabrics. A ware family is defined as a set of ware groups with different combinations of surface properties, characterised

The ferruginous fabrics of the wheel-made pottery Fabrics IIC and IID The paste is made up of a silty ferruginous clay of alluvial origin, with natural inclusions of sand grains and tempered with cattle dung and other finely divided organic particles. These two fabrics differ from each other in hardness and transverse strength related to the firing, IIC being rather 6

Ware Group M3 General characteristics: Burnished black wares of Fabric IC. Surfaces are black all over and usually burnished. Rare in the material presented here.

by one fabric or a set of closely related fabrics. A family is made up of sherds or vessels which display close affinities in respect of technological tradition. The wares occurring in the Early and Middle Nubian handmade pottery found in the WBS area belong to the Ware Families K, M, H, N, and D. The wheel-made wares mainly of Pharaonic origin belong to Ware Family W. All families with their respective ware groups have been described in detail by Nordström (1972b, 57ff.; 1977) with the exception of Ware Group H5 which is a later addition presented in SJE Vol 4:1 (Säve-Söderbergh 1989, 30). In the following there is a short description only of the wares that are represented in the find catalogues and site descriptions in this volume.

Ware M4.11 General characteristics: Burnished red-and-black Abkan ware. Fabric IC with sand inclusions. Exterior coated with a wash of red ochre and usually well burnished. Interior black and burnished all over. Rim top black, black top on exterior may occur. Common in Terminal A-Group. Ware M4.12 General characteristics: Rippled, red-and-black Abkan ware. Fabric IC with sand inclusions. Exterior covered with a thin wash of red ochre and rippled vertically. Interior black and plain burnished. Rim top black, often milled. Black top on exterior may occur. Diagnostic of the Terminal A-Group.

Ware Family K

The wares of this family are diagnostic of the Khartoum Variant pottery, in the WBS area known only from one locality, Site 6-F-3 in Gezira Dabarosa. The Khartoum Variant pottery is decorated with few exceptions.

Ware Family H

Ware K1.01 General characteristics: Fabric IA. Light red or grey surfaces, exterior always uncompacted and usually decorated with impressed designs. Interior usually smoother than the exterior.

Ware Group H1. Coarse or smooth, brown wares General characteristics: Brown or brownish-grey, handmade wares with uncompacted surfaces, usually with black or dusky brown core. Surfaces without lustre, often black-spotted. The wares of this group are very common in both habitation sites and cemeteries of A-Group and C-Group date. Most of the vessels are undecorated.

Ware K1.02 General characteristics: Fabric IB, with conspicuous inclusions of light-coloured scaly particles of mica. Surfaces and decoration similar to K1.01.

Uncoated wares of Group H1

Ware Family M

The wares of this family are diagnostic of the Abkan pottery, known from a few localities in the WBS area (e.g. sites 6-F-3, 6-G-25, 5-T-38, 5-S-25). The designation M refers to Oliver Myers, one of the pioneers in the scientific study of pottery of the Nile valley. Most of the Abkan pottery is undecorated.

Ware H1.01 Name: Coarse or smooth brown ware Fabric: IIA (rare) or IIB (common). Fabrics ID and IIE also occur. Exterior surface: Colour shades of brown, ranging from weak to dusky. Low values of grey fairly common. Often black-spotted. Texture usually smooth (hand smoothed), uncompacted. Interior surface: Colour brown, brownish-grey or black, usually of lower value than the exterior.

Ware M1.01 Name: Coarse, Abkan ware. Fabric: IC, with conspicuous sand inclusions. Exterior surface: Colour weak brown or grey to dusky greyish-brown. Texture varies from fairly coarse to smooth, always uncompacted, sometimes with a few burnishing streaks. Interior surface: Generally same as exterior, sometimes with a smoother texture compared with the exterior.

Ware H1.03 Name: Combed brown ware Fabric: IIB Exterior surface: colour brown, usually moderate to dusky. Seldom grey. Sometimes black-spotted. Texture coarse, always distinctly combed all over the surface. Lustre mat. Interior surface: Colour often black. Texture often combed like the exterior, sometimes smooth. Lustre mat. Ware Group H2. Brown polished wares General characteristics: Brown or grey, handmade wares with compacted, tactually smooth, exterior surfaces. Interior surfaces uncompacted or compacted, usually with a black core. Surfaces often black-spotted.

Ware M2.01 Name: Burnished brown or grey, Abkan ware. Fabric: IC, with sandy, sometimes micaceous paste. Exterior surface: Colour shades of weak brown or greyishbrown, sometimes weak red. Texture always compacted, with a rather low degree of burnish. Interior surface: Colour usually darker than the exterior, never black. Texture usually compacted over most of the surface.

7

Uncoated wares of Group H2

Exterior surface: Basic colour brown, usually pale brown, sometimes black-spotted. Always coated with a thin layer of red ochre, colour moderate to dark. Texture smooth and compacted, surface always plain. Lustre low to medium, seldom high. Interior surface: Basic colour brown, or greyish-brown. Always uncoated. Texture always uncompacted, partially smooth, sometimes coarse, abrasive. Lustre mat. This ware may occur in both A-Group and C-Group contexts.

Ware H2.01 Name: Plain polished brown ware Fabric: ID, IIA, or IIB Exterior surface: Basic colour brown or grey, ranging from pale or moderate to dusky or very dark. Never black. Sometimes black-spotted. Texture always tactually smooth, surfaces compacted with hard, smooth polishing tool. Lustre low to medium. Interior surface: Basic colour generally the same as the exterior, sometimes of a lower value. Never black. Texture always tactually smooth over most of the surface com­ pacted like the exterior. Lustre low to medium. Variant: H2.01b. Fabric IIB. Very thin “egg-shell” ware with light-brown, evenly coloured surfaces, both exterior and interior well polished, sometimes with red-painted decoration. Diagnostic of Terminal A-Group (cf. Ware H4.01b, described below).

Ware Group H3. Black Polished Wares General characteristics: Black, handmade ware with compacted, tactually smooth exterior surfaces. Interior compacted or uncompacted. Surfaces always blackened by finely divided particle of soot. Ware H3.03 is usually decorated. Ware H3.01 Name: Plain polished black ware. Fabric: IIA or IIB. Exterior and interior surfaces: Basic colour black, sometimes with areas of very dark brown. Texture tactually smooth, well compacted with medium to high lustre.

Ware H2.03 Name: Plain polished brown ware with uncompacted interior. Fabric: IIB Exterior surface: Colour brown or grey, ranging from pale or moderate to dusky or very dark. Never black. Sometimes black-spotted. Texture always smooth and uncompacted. Lustre low to medium. Interior surface: Basic colour generally the same as the exterior sometimes of a lower value. Never black. Texture uncompacted, smooth or coarse, never polished. Lustre mat.

Ware H3.03 Name: Polished black ware with uncompacted interior. Fabric: Usually IIB. Exterior surface: Basic colour black, occasionally with areas of very dark brown. Texture smooth surface fully polished or with polished fields forming a decoration (Dec. Group 5). Lustre of polished parts usually medium, sometimes high. Uncompacted parts mat. Interior surface: Basic colour black like the exterior. Texture always uncompacted usually combed horizontally, sometimes smoothed after combing. Sometimes rough or abrasive. Lustre always mat. Remark: This ware is typical of the black polished incised bowls of C-Group date (Type SJE CIII).

Red-coated wares of Group H2 Ware H2.11 Name: Plain polished ware Fabric: IIB Exterior surface: Basic colour usually pale brown, often black-spotted. Always coated with a layer of red ochre, sometimes thin and irregular, colour moderate to dark red. Texture smooth and compacted, sometimes with conspicu­ ous polishing marks. Lustre medium, sometimes high. Interior surface: Basic colour usually pale brown like the exterior, seldom black-spotted. Sometimes coated or decorated with red ochre of moderate to dark colour. Texture smooth and compacted. Lustre medium.

Ware Group H4. Brown and Black Polished Wares General characteristics: Handmade utility or decorative wares with brown compacted and tactually smooth exterior surfaces and blackened compacted or uncompacted interior. Rim portion usually blackened forming a broad or narrow black-top on the exterior surface. Subdivision: The wares of this class have been divided into two subgroups. Subgroup H4.0 has an uncoated exterior surface. Subgroup H4.1 has a partially or completely red-coated exterior surface. Brown and black wares having decorative patterns painted in red are classed under H4.0. Similar wares with a complex (incised + impressed) deco­ration and red-coated polished fields belong to subgroup H4.1. Remark: This group is part of an extensive series of Nubian black-topped or black-mouthed wares dating from Terminal Abkan and Early A-Group times to the end of the C-Group. It is also represented to a significant degree in the Kerma and Pangrave cultures. The black-top tradition goes back to Prehistoric times in Egypt (Nabta) and is well represented in the Badarian and Predynastic pottery

Ware H2.12 Name: Rippled red ware. Fabric: Usually IIB. Exterior surface: Always coated with a thin, sometimes irregular wash of red ochre and distinctly rippled, usually vertically. Interior surface: Basic colour pale brown, sometimes coated or decorated with red ochre and plain polished, rarely rippled. Ware H2.13 Name: Plain red-polished ware with uncompacted interior Fabric: IIB 8

Ware H4.12 Name: Rippled red-and-black ware. Fabric: IIA, rarely IIB. The tempering material often consists of ash or sand. Exterior surface: Basic colour light to moderate brown. Always coated with a thin layer of red ochre and rippled all over, vertically or diagonally. Interior surface: Basic colour black, texture plain and polished. Rim: Very often milled rim top. Remark: This ware is diagnostic of the Middle A-Group.

and to a certain degree also in the Neolithic cultures of the Middle Nile (Gatto 2006).

Uncoated wares of Group H4 Ware H4.01 Name: Plain polished brown-and-black ware Fabric: Usually IIB Exterior surface: Colour greyish-brown in some variants light or pale brown. Rarely black-spotted. Texture tactually smooth and compacted all over. Polishing marks sometimes conspicuous. Lustre ranging from low to high. Interior surface: Colour black, small areas sometimes grey­ish-black especially beneath the rim and at the base. Texture tactually smooth and compacted like the exterior. Lustre in some variants high, sometimes low to medium. Variant: H4.01b. Fabric IIB. Very thin “egg-shell” ware with light brown or pale brown exterior surface usually decorated with a red-painted design. Black interior. Surfaces usually well polished. This variant is diagnostic of the Terminal A-Group (cf. Ware H2.01b, described above).

Ware H4.13 Name: Plain polished red-and-black ware with uncompacted interior. Fabric: Usually IIB. Exterior surface: Basic colour brown often moderate or light. Sometimes black-spotted, always coated with red ochre sometimes covering the whole surface, sometimes confined to limited decorative fields (Dec. Group 5). Texture smooth surface fully polished or polished only within the red-coated decorative fields mentioned above. Lustre of polished parts medium, sometimes high. Uncompacted parts mat. Interior: Basic colour black, always uncompacted, often combed horisontally. Variant: H4.13a. Rim top red coated, no black top. Interior coarse, not combed.

Ware H4.03 Name: Plain polished brown-and-black ware with uncompacted interior Fabric: IIB Exterior surface: Colour brown, usually light or pale. Sometimes black-spotted. Texture tactually smooth and compacted. Polishing sometimes confined to fields of a decoration. Lustre medium to high. Interior surface: Colour black sometimes small areas of greyish-black. Texture is uncompacted smooth or coarse, sometimes combed. Lustre mat.

Ware: H4.15 Name: Red-and-black Kerma beaker ware. Fabric: IIB, very fine clay and temper. Technical quality usually high. Exterior surface: Basic colour pale brown with a broad, black rim portion. The body parts beneath the black top are always coated with red ochre of a moderate to dark red colour and the whole surface is evenly polished all over with a moderate to high lustre. The most distinctive feature of the exterior is a light-grey to purplish, variegated band located on the border zone between the black top and the red-coated body portion. This band is designated the “secondary stripe” by Reisner and consists of vitrified materials of a slag-like character, possibly formed during the firing by a combination of the iron fluxes in the coating and some elements in the clay. Interior surface: Basic colour black all over. The upper half of the surface is usually well polished with a high lustre. The lower part of the vessel may be uncoated and smooth uncompacted. Remark: This ware is diagnostic of the Kerma culture (Kerma Classique) and occurs in various combinations throughout Lower and Upper Nubia in graves dating in the Second Intermediate Period (Gratien 1978; Privati 1982). It can be easily distinguished from the C-Group variants of ware H4.11.

Red-coated wares of Group H4 Ware H4.11 Name: Plain polished red-and-black ware Fabric: IIA or IIB Exterior surface: Basic colour usually light or moderate brown, sometimes black-spotted. Always coated with a thin layer of red ochre, colour medium to dark red. Texture always compacted and tactually smooth, polishing marks sometimes conspicuous. Lustre medium to high. Interior surface: Basic colour always black, sometimes fad­ing into greyish- or brownish-black. Texture smooth and compacted all over. Polishing marks often conspicuous. Lustre ranges between low and high. Variants of H4.11 H4.11a. Black-mouthed and thin-walled variant, often of the ash-tempered Fabric IIA. H4.11b. Black-topped variant with a fairly broad black zone on the exterior. Fabric usually IIB. H4.11f. Black-topped variant with the black-top generally confined to a narrow band separated from the body by an incised groove or a specific rim shape (A8, A9). The black may be emphasised by a postfiring coating of carbon or graphite. This ware is confined to the Pangrave culture. Fabric generally IIB

Ware Group H5. Greyish-brown wares with grooved decoration In cemetery SJE 176 excavated by the Scandinavian Joint Expedition, a special kind of pottery was recovered, typical of what was later called the Transitional cemeteries 9

Ware D1.21 Hard, grey-coated ware with uncompacted surfaces. Exterior covered with a pale-grey wash or slip. Surface texture usually smooth, seldom grainy.

(Säve-Söderbergh 1989, 30), dated in the first half of the 18th Dynasty and differing in character from other Middle Nubian sites.

Ware H5.01 This is a special ware characteristic of some vessels and sherds from site SJE 176, and also from site 24I-4 described in Chapter 4 in this volume. It can be characterised as a rather porous, friable, sandy ware with fine mica inclusions. The surfaces are greyish in colour. A diagnostic trait is that major parts of the exterior surface are decorated with deep, parallel grooves modelled in the clay. The interior surface is usually smooth uncompacted.

Ware Family W

The following description is an abbreviated version of the classification by the present author made on the basis of the material of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition (Nordström 1977). Only the wares mentioned in the catalogues of this volume are included.

Ware Group W1 Brown, grey-brown or reddish-brown wheel-made wares of ferruginous Nile clays. Fabric IIC (soft) and IID (hard).

Ware Family N

General characteristics: Fabric IE is the basic material of this family. It consists of a fine clay or mixture of clays with inclusions of fine sand. Four groups can be identified, N1 (coarse or smooth, brown or black wares), N2 (polished brown wares), N3 (polished black wares), and N4 polished brown-and-black wares). They belong all to one significant part of the Egyptian Predynastic tradition. They are represented on one important site in the WBS area, namely 24-H-4, a refuse under a cliff overhang in Serra West.

Ware W1.01 Uncoated and uncompacted surfaces. Ware W1.02 Uncoated. Exterior polished, interior uncompacted smooth. Ware W1.03 Uncoated. Both exterior and interior polished. Ware W1.11 Most of the exterior red-washed, sometimes also the interior. Uncompacted smooth surfaces.

Ware Family D

The wares of this family are all handmade and consist of marl clays of Egyptian origin, available in the limestone formations. They are generally of Fabric IVA (Vienna System Marl A1; Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 176) with significant inclusions of crushed limestone particles. The firing temperature can be estimated as having been c. 800-850˚C and the colour of both fracture and surfaces may vary between light-to-pale red and shades of grey. Family D originated in the Egyptian Predynastic tradition and is evidently not later than the Old Kingdom.

Ware W1.12 Most of the exterior red-washed and polished. Interior uncoated and uncompacted. Ware W1.13 Exterior and/or interior coated with a red wash. Both surfaces polished. Ware W1.21 Exterior and/or interior coated with a fine-textured slip of white, greyish white, buff or pale brown colour, sometimes consisting of a calciferous clay.

Ware D1.01 Hard, light-red or grey, both surfaces uncompacted, exterior often smooth. Variants: D1.01a. Light-red surfaces. D1.01b. Pale grey or greenish grey surfaces.

Ware Group W3 Hard, pink or grey wheel-made wares of Egyptian marl clays. Fabrics IVA or IVB.

Ware D1.02 Hard, light-red or buff exterior, always burnished or polished. Interior always uncompacted.

Ware W3.01 Both surfaces uncoated and uncompacted with a smooth or coarse texture.

Ware D1.03 Hard, light red or buff surfaces, always burnished, exterior often with distinct horizontal burnishing marks, interior usually with marks in a radial pattern.

Ware W3.12 Exterior coated with a red wash and polished, with a low to moderate lustre. Interior uncoated and uncompacted.

Ware D1.12 Hard, red-coated ware with polished exterior, medium-todark-red colour. Interior pale brown or pale red, uncoated and uncompacted.

Ware W3.21 Exterior coated with a grey, buff, or white fine-textured clay slip. Both surfaces uncompacted.

10

Ware W3.22 Exterior coated with a grey, buff, or white fine-textured clay slip and well polished, with a fairly low lustre. Interior usually uncoated, always uncompacted.

RC. A closed bowl with a distinct, sharp transition between the lower and the upper part of the body. RNI. A necked jar with a smooth convex/concave transition between body and neck. RNC. A necked jar with distinct, sharp transition between body and neck.

Ware Group W5 Hard, grey wares of Qena-type marl clay. Fabric VA, with a sharp grey fracture, sometimes with a pink or pale red core. Turning marks often visible on the surface.

It follows from this that these shape codes can be used regardless of vessel size. In the actual classifications there is a clear distinction between shape and form, where the latter may be regarded as a typological device “combining the particular aspects of shape with other qualities, such as size and function, and with conceptions of cultural provenance” (Nordström 1972b, 69). The rim shapes of the handmade pottery are illustrated in Nordström 1972b, pl. 23.

Ware W5.01 Surfaces light grey or greenish grey, always uncompacted, exterior usually with a smooth texture. Ware W5.02 Surfaces light grey or greenish grey. Exterior polished, especially on the upper part of the vessel, low lustre. Interior always uncompacted.

Decoration

As regards the decoration of the handmade pottery of Early and Middle Nubian origin a few sets of codes have been used in the catalogues following the earlier classifications (Nordström 1972b, 76-77). These codes refer principally to the techniques used to make the designs and to the structure of the design. Five decoration groups have been defined accordingly.

Properties of shape and vessel parts

Code designations related to vessel shape are used systematically in the catalogues of this volume. The codes for the handmade pottery refer to the classifications made in connection with the publication of the Scandinavian Joint Expedition (Nordström 1972, 68ff.), which in turn are based on the shape analysis developed by one of the pioneers of ceramology, Anna O. Shepard (1965, 224ff.). Further elaboration of shape and vessel parts was made by Holthoer (1977, 68ff.) in his classification of the wheelmade pottery. The general outlines of the vessel contour (in the lateral aspect) are divided into three categories, as follows.

Group 1. Impressed patterns made before firing with a single stamp, with a rocker-stamp technique, “dot-anddrag” technique, or a cord. Group 2. Incised patterns, made usually before firing, with a pointed or blunt instrument. Group 3. Combined impressed and incised patterns. Group 4. Painted patterns, usually made with red ochre applied to the vessel before firing. These are mainly confined to the A-Group. Group 5. Complex patterns, usually consisting of incised lines, forming the outlines of the design, combined with impressed patterns inside fields or bands, alternating with black or red-polished plain fields or bands. This group is represented in both A-Group and C-Group pottery.

U. Unrestricted contour where the maximum diameter is measured at the rim. R. Restricted contour, where the maximum diameter lies on the body. RN. Restricted, necked contour, where the maximum diameter lies on the body and where the transition between the body and the neck is marked by an inflection point, a corner point, or some other distinct morphological feature.

The term structure of design refers to the original outlines and general composition of the decoration in relation to the pottery vessel as a whole (Shepard 1965, 264ff.). Shepard’s approach was later elaborated by the present author, especially for the decorated A-Group and C-Group pottery (Nordström 1972b, 74-75). A number of structures has been defined, A-H in the original classification, A-K in an extended version worked out by the present author and published in SJE Vol. 4:1 (Säve-Söderbergh 1989, 34, fig. 16). The varieties of the rim top decoration are illustrated in Nordström 1972b, pl. 24T. The pottery decoration occurring in the different periods is described and illustrated in the commentaries ending each of the subsequent chapters (Ch. 3-5).

The outline of the contour is characterised as follows. S. Simple, continuous contour, convex, concave, or straight. I. Inflected contour, where the curve changes from a convex to a concave direction seen from the base upwards. C. Composite contour where the change in direction is marked by a sharp transition. The general shape of a vessel can be characterised with the help of combinations of these codes, as is shown by examples of bowls and jars presented in Nordström 1972b, pl. 9). US. An open bowl with a simple continuous contour. UI. An open bowl with a flaring upper part, for example a beaker. UC. An open bowl with a distinct, sharp transition between the lower and the upper part of the body. RS. A closed bowl with a simple contour. Sometimes this is characterised by a more or less distinct turn inwards of the upper part of the body.

Early Nubian pottery types

The designations of pottery types used in this volume follow the classifications of the SJE material. As regards the Early Nubian period only the A-Group pottery from the mortuary sites has been included into a typological 11

Type Group AVIII. Brown-and-black, decorated “egg-shell” vessels

division (Nordström 1972b, 81ff.). In the catalogues of Chapter 3 in this volume each type designation has the prefix SJE followed by A. The division is based on the different varieties of wares, Type Groups AI-AX consisting of vessels of Nubian origin, Type Groups AXI and AXII vessels of Egyptian provenance. The principal type groups and types included in the catalogues are summarised below. The occurrence and significance of the most common vessel types are discussed at the end of Chapter 3, under the heading “The pottery”, where also selected examples of the A-Group pottery types are presented (Plates 10 and 11).

Principal ware: H4.01b, decorated with red-painted designs AVIIIa. Cups and deep bowls. Type Group AIX. Black-topped, red-polished, plain vessels Principal ware: H4.11b. AIXa. Cups and deep bowls. AIXb. Saucers and shallow bowls. AIXd. Large bowls. AIXf. Bottles and medium-sized necked jars.

Type Group AI. Brown coarse or smooth vessels Principal ware: H1.01 AIa. Cups and deep bowls. AIb. Saucers and shallow bowls. AIe. Simple jars. AIg. Large, simple or necked jars. AIh. Strainers (saucer-like, with numerous holes through the base).

Type Group AX. Black-topped, brown or red-polished, rippled vessels Principal ware: H4.12. AXa. Cups and deep bowls. AXc. Dishes.

Type Group AII. Brown, polished “egg-shell” vessels

Type Group AXI. Vessels of Egyptian hard pink, smooth wares

Ware: H2.01b. AIIa. Cups and deep bowls. AIIb. Saucers and shallow bowls.

Principal ware: D1.01. AXIm. Bowls and dishes. AXIn. Bottles and small jars. AXIp. Medium-sized necked jars. AXIq. Jars with short neck and high shoulder (“wine jars”).

Type Group AIII. Red-polished plain vessels Principal ware: H2.11. AIIIa. Cups and deep bowls. AIIIb. Saucers and shallow bowls. AIIIc. Dishes. Red-painted decoration common. AIIId. Large, deep bowls.

Type Group AXII. Vessels of Egyptian hard, pink, polished wares AXIIm. Bowls and dishes. AXIIn. Bottles and small jars.

Type Group AIV. Red-polished, rippled vessels

Middle Nubian pottery types

The handmade pottery of Middle Nubian date was mainly found as offerings in the graves. It was originally classified by the present author on the basis of the material from the SJE and subsequently published in their Vol. 4 (Säve-Söderbergh 1989, 25ff.). The typological divisions follow the same principal pattern which has been used for the A-Group pottery, where the different ware groups form the back-bone. We have used here separate divisions for the C-Group pottery, the Pangrave pottery and the Kerma culture pottery, and, consequently, each type designation has the prefix SJE followed by C, P, or K. The wheel-made pottery recovered from Middle Nubian sites is treated below under the next heading. The form groups in this typology are as follows.

Principal ware: H2.12. AIVa. Cups and deep bowls. AIVb. Saucers and shallow bowls. AIVc. Dishes. Type Group AV. Black polished, plain vessels Principal ware: H3.01. AVa. Cups and deep bowls. Type Group AVI. Black polished, rippled vessels Principal ware: H3.02. There are no specimen of this group in the catalogues.

a. Cups Md: 130mm d. Bottles H: 140mm h. Handled vessels

Type Group AVII. Brown-and-black, plain, polished vessels Principal ware: H4.01a. AVIIa. Cups and deep bowls. 12

KIVb. Beakers, shape UI with an inflected contour, rarely US.

The occurrence and significance of the most common vessel types found in Middle Nubian contexts are discussed at the end of Chapter 4, under the heading “The Middle Nubian pottery”, where also a selection of the Nubian pottery types is presented (Figures 46-50; Plates 19-21).

Pharaonic pottery types

A comprehensive classification of the wheel-made Pharaonic pottery was made by Rostislav Holthoer and published in the SJE Vol. 5:1 (Holthoer 1977, 68ff.). An addition was later made including Pharaonic pottery found in Middle Nubian contexts (Holthoer 1989, 59ff.). Contrary to the typologies of the handmade pottery presented above, the starting point for the divisions of the wheel-made material is the vessel form, which is made up of a combination of shape and size. Each type group consists primarily of forms with many features in common, while the wares divide the groups at a secondary level. Holthoer’s designations are applied here as much as possible. Each type designation has the prefix SJE followed by the various type designations, for example, BB, CU, NJ. Selections of the Pharaonic pottery types are presented in Chapters 4 and 5 (Figures 53 and 62; Plates 22, 23, 31 and 32). The types listed below are in the same order as they appear in the original classification, with the same designations (Holthoer 1977, 70ff.), starting with vessels with morphological indicators of function, such as a spout, handles, a foot, or stands with two orifices. The second part consists of types without functional indicators. The occurrence of wares is indicated under each type.

Type Group CI. Vessels with brown, coarse or smooth or polished surfaces Principal ware: H1.01. Red-coated uncompacted ware (H1.11), red-polished ware (H2.11) or red-andblack wares (H4.01, H4.13) may occur. CIa. Cups, shape US or RS. CIb. Bowls, shape US or RS. CId. Bottles, shape RNI. CIe. Jars, shape RS or RNI. CIh. Handled vessels, shape RS or RNI. Type Group CII. Vessels of black polished plain wares Principal wares: H3.01 and H3.03. CIId. Bottles, shape RNI. CIIe. Jars, shape RNI. Type Group CIII. Decorated vessels of black polished incised ware Principal ware: H3.03. CIIIa. Cups, shape RS, rarely US CIIIb. Bowls, Shape RS, rarely US

Vessels with functional indicators Family TB. Biconical stands TB2. Medium-tall, with a strongly bent concave contour and modelled rims. Ware W1.01.

Type Group CIV. Black-topped, red-polished, usually plain vessels

Family TR. Transitional stands TR1. Low, with a moderately concave contour, modelled rims. Ware W1.12.

Principal ware: H4.11, black-mouthed variant (d), or well fired with even polish (e). CIVa. Cups, shape US or RS. CIVb. Bowls, shape US or RS. Type Group CV. Decorated vessels of red-polished incised ware

Family TU. Tubular stands TU4. Low, with a weak concave contour, plain rims. Ware W1.13.

Principal ware: H4.13. CVa. Cups, shape RS CVb. Bowls, shape RS.

Family BB. Beer bottles BB4. Ordinary beer bottle of larger size, short neck and plain rim. Ware W1.01.

Type Group PIV. Black-topped, red-polished vessels with set-off rim

Family AO. Ordinary amphorae AO1. Large amphora of coarse, sandy marl fabric (probably Palestinian ware).

Principal ware: H4.11f. PIVb. Bowls, shape RS, with a set-off rim confining the black top.

Family AP. Pilgrim bottles AP1. Flat, with two vertical handles. Ware W3.01.

Vessels without functional indicators

Type Group KIV. Black-topped, red-polished Kerma beakers

Family CC. Composite cups and bowls CC3. Deep, with flattened base and plain rim. Ware W1.01.

Principal ware: H4.15 with a “secondary stripe” on the exterior 13

Catalogues of other finds

Family CU. Simple cups and bowls CU1. Vessels with rounded or pointed base. Wares W1.01, W1.03, W1.11, W1.12. CU2. Shallow, with flattened base. Ware W1.01. CU7. Deep, with narrow (flattened) base. Ware W3.01.

As noted above, the pottery has been systematically listed in the catalogues with the help of a number of code designations for wares, shapes, types etc. The other finds appearing in the catalogues have, on the contrary, been described in plain text avoiding codes or other abbreviations, but following an order that is no less systematic: type of object, preservation, material, shape, morphological details, measurements in mm.

Family GO. Simple goblets GO1. Vessels with rounded base. Wares W1.11, W1.12, W1.13, W1.21, W3.01, W5.01. Family PL. Saucers and plates PL1. Shallow plates with rounded or pointed base. Ware W1.01. PL2. Medium-deep with rounded or pointed base. Ware W1.11. PL8. Medium-deep with flattened base. Ware W1.01. Family BO. Round-based slender bottles BO1. Ordinary bottles. Ware W5.01. Family BR. Broad bottles BR1. Ordinary bottles. Wares W1.02, W5.01. Family CS. Short-necked carinated vessels CS1. Short-necked carinated vessel. Ware W3.12. Family CV. Ordinary carinated vessels CV1. Broad-necked carinated vessel. Ware W5.01. Family FU. Funnel-necked jars FU1. Tall-necked, undecorated. Ware W1.01. Family GJ. Globular jars GJ1. Broad-necked. Wares W1.01, W1.12, W5.01. GJ2. Narrow-necked. Wares W3.01, W3.12, W5.01. Family JB. Bulged jars JB1. Ordinary. Ware W5.01. Family JO. Round-based ovoid jars JO1. Ordinary. Ware W1.01. Family NJ. Round-based necked jars NJ1. Medium-broad, short neck. Wares W1.01, W3.22, W5.01. NJ2. Medium-broad, tall neck. Ware W1.12. Family SJ. Simple jars SJ2. Bulged, with modelled rim and narrow orifice. Ware W5.01. Family WD. Wine-decanters WD1. Slender, with plain rim and rounded base. Ware W1.01. WD2. Medium broad, with plain rim and rounded base. Ware W1.01. Family WG. Wine-goblets WG1. Ordinary, with plain rim and rounded base. Ware W1.11(?). 14

3. EARLY NUBIAN SITES AND FINDS

Overview

A-Group and the C-Group periods. It is probable that this site may be connected with the A-Group cemetery 24-E-1 On the West Bank there were 28 sites of Early Nubian located in the neighbourhood and excavated by Griffith origin, recorded and partially or fully investigated by (1921), and perhaps also with the large C-Group cemetery the SAS-UNESCO mission in 1960-62. These are sum24-E-3, partially excavated by Griffith (1923) and by the marised on Table 1 (below) and Table 5 (p. 29), while SAS-UNESCO mission (see Chapter 4, pp. 69ff. below). the geographical distribution can be studied on the map, In any case, these sites indicate that the Faras region was Figure 1. a centre of some importance already 5000 years ago. Prior to the campaign of the 1960s, sites from this period All other habitation sites listed here were new discovwere only known, as far as the West Bank is concerned, eries (Table 1). Only one site yielded Khartoum Variant in the Faras district where F. Ll. Griffith recorded some pottery, 6-F-3 in Gezira Dabarosa. There were five sites habitation remains and excavated one large A-Group representative of the Abkan period, one located in Debeira cemetery in 1910-12 (Griffith 1921). West, the other four near or in the Second Cataract area. The fairly extensive site 6-G-25 had a number of hearths and was primarily of Abkan and Middle A-Group date Habitation sites with some secondary material (potsherds) from the adIn all, 14 sites of Early Nubian date could be designated jacent A-Group and C-Group cemetery 6-G-18. In 1964 as remains of habitations or other sites related to some members of the University of Colorado Expedition carried kind of occupation or unknown activities. These sites are out additional excavations of the Early Nubian habitation listed in Table 1 while the spatial distribution is shown sites 6-F-3 and 6-G-25 in the southernmost part of Gezira on the map, Figure 1. Dabarosa. The present author has analysed a selection of The character of these sites displayed a rather wide the pottery from the Colorado excavations now curated range; there were habitation sites with remains indicatin the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the ing a long-term occupation, campsites showing signs British Museum and the result of this, together with an of a shorter use, and areas with refuse, which may have interpretation of the chronological relationship between been formed by temporary activities of various kinds. In these sites, is given below (p. 20-25). any case there were no structural features of permanent The campsites on the islands of Matuga and Shagir in buildings such as walls and mud floors. Recorded remains the Second Cataract (5-T-38 and 5-S-25, respectively) are of hearths and pits were scarce. important for our understanding of the Abkan period and The only Early Nubian habitation site known before its economic structure. The latter yielded a large amount the present campaign was 24-E-2, which was recorded of fish bones and its location close to one of the main by Griffith (1921, 4-5). The refuse layers of this site were rapids and adjoining fishing grounds in the cataract is evidently quite extensive but Griffith made only a short particularly interesting. description. Later a small test excavation was carried The most enigmatic site in this context was 24-H-4 in out in 1956 by the Sudan Antiquities Service and this Serra West, located under a small overhang at the eastern was complemented by another test in 1960 by the SASslope of Jebel Sheikh Yacub about 4km from the river. In UNESCO mission. The finds indicate a date in both the a disturbed refuse layer there was a collection of potsherds and other finds, initially recorded as TABLE 1. HABITATION SITES AND RELATED TYPES OF SITES OF EARLY A-Group (Verwers 1962, 22). The NUBIAN DATE. GEOGRAPHICAL ORDER FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. true date and significance of this site Site no. District Type of site Date was identified in 1965 when the pre24-E-2 Faras West Habitation site A-Group sent writer analysed the pottery. There 24-H-4 Serra West Refuse area in cave Predynastic Naqada period are a few sherds of Abkan and prob24-M-5 Serra West Campsite Early Nubian ably also of A-Group provenience, but 24-M-7 Serra West Storage pits? A-Group most of the sherds are unmistakably of 24-R-16 Debeira West Campsite Abkan Egyptian Predynastic origin, Naqada 6-B-6 Argin Habitation remains A-Group Ic-IIa. Eventually, it turned out to be 6-G-21 Gezira Dabarosa Campsite A-Group the only site of this kind ever found 6-G-19 Gezira Dabarosa Campsite A-Group in the Sudanese part of Nubia. Regret6-F-3 Gezira Dabarosa Campsite Khartoum Var. and Abkan fully, only a part of it was investigated. 6-G-25 Gezira Dabarosa Habitation site Abkan and A-Group Similar finds of Naqada pottery were 5-O-7 Abdel Qadir Campsite Abkan made in the two top layers of the so5-T-25 Abu Sir Refuse area in cave A-Group? called Catfish cave on the West Bank 5-T-38 Abu Sir (Matuga I.) Campsite Abkan near Korosko in Egyptian Nubia (Site 5-S-25 Mirgissa (Shagir I.) Campsite Abkan 15

Figure 1. Distribution of the Early Nubian sites in the West Bank Survey area.

Black triangles = habitation sites; black dots = mortuary sites

16

DI-21B, Wendt 1966, 16; Maria C. Gatto, pers. comm.). Jebel Sheikh Yacub was obviously a locally important site in Early Nubian times. In the vicinity a great number of rock drawings were recorded by the German mission (Otto and Buschendorf-Otto 1993, Foto 2-9, with the designation 24-M-1 instead of the correct 24-H-2).

with comb-impressions and “many flint flakes, a polished celt of dark stone, a copper piercer, and a much worn Proto-dynastic seal-cylinder of dark serpentine”, finally fragments of a (limestone?) bracelet, the latter probably of C-Group origin.

24-H-4: Early Predynastic refuse in cliff overhang, Serra West

24-E-2: A-Group and C-Group habitation remains, Faras West

Site specifications

Site specifications Extensive, thin scattering of potsherds and pieces of charcoal. Possible remains of floors. Setting: Situated along the shore of an old, now dry, channel of the Nile, to the west of Faras village. Preservation: Very denuded on the surface. Some structural remains, probably of C-Group date. Extent of site: About 100m long and 30m wide. Date: This site was apparently occupied during both the A-Group and the C-Group periods.

Setting: Small natural overhang (abri) in a sandstone cliff at the eastern slope of Jebel Sheikh Yacub, located in the desert well above the flood plain, near the 160m level, c. 4km from the river. Preservation: Disturbed by animals, wind erosion, etc. Extent of site: Small overhang, extent not recorded. Date: The find assemblage is not homogeneous but appears to be restricted to the Early Nubian period. The main part is of Early Predynastic origin (Kaiser’s Naqada Ic-IIa).

Excavated units and finds

Excavated unit

A description of structural remains of C-Group date recovered during the 1960 excavation is presented below in Chapter 4, p. 63-64. Pottery: There are no records of A-Group or Early Nubian pottery present on this site. Recorded finds of Early Nubian date from the 1956 excavation:

The excavated area under the overhang was covered by a top layer of aeolean sand. At the back, inside the overhang, there was a small recess with traces of mud (perhaps used as a grave according to the field notes). Under the sand there was a refuse layer consisting of fine, light-grey sand mixed with stones, charcoal and vegetable remains and containing potsherds and other finds. On top of the rock floor there was a 600-700mm thick layer of dark coloured sand and dust containing the same material as the layer above. No remains of structures were found.

1. Mortar, whole, sandstone? Shape oval, with a rounded base. Colour pink, striated with darker layers. The upper part has a smooth depression, 12mm deep, with a narrow rim. L: 118, W: 64, Th: 22mm. 2. Mace head, portion (half), green stone. Shape flattened ball, with a broad hole (D: 19mm) through the centre, drilled from opposite sides. Green colour. Well finished, smooth surfaces. D: 62, Th: 46mm. 3. Short flake, whole, carnelian? Bifacial, fairly broad, with pointed end, colour brick red. No fine retouch recorded. L: 64, W: 45, Th: 22mm. 4. Projectile point, whole, chert. Bifacial, fairly broad flake with pointed end. Retouched edges. L: 54, W: 31, Th: 7mm. 5. Beads, loose, stone. Ring-shaped beads, two of white stone, D: 9, Th: 5mm; four of chert or carnelian, D: 5, Th: 1.5mm. 6. Probable tool, whole (?), copper or copper-alloy, blade with one broad end, tapering to the other end, rectangular section. No breaks recorded. Surfaces corroded. L: 80, W: 21, Th: 1mm.

Finds Sample of potsherds from the refuse (1 box, less than 100 sherds) This collection is exceptionally important in view of the early date and Egyptian Predynastic origin of some of the sherds. The following description is based on notes made by H.-Å. Nordström in Khartoum in 1965. There is no record of the exact number of sherds of each ware.

a. Sherds of Egyptian Predynastic Nile fabrics Ware Family N, Fabric IE. The paste is of Nile clay with inclusions of fine sand. Mica is usually present, evenly distributed in the paste. Occasionally a few small grey or whitish particles are included. There is no visible organic temper except for an occasional straw particle from the mixing process. The paste is smooth and fairly hard, sometimes a bit crumbly. The colour of the fracture is dark and variable, displaying shades of brown, grey, or black. The fabric is equivalent to Nile A in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 170f., with references). a1. Black-topped red-polished ware (Ware Group N4). The exterior body surface is red, slightly variable, from dark plum and brownish red to lighter shades. The rims are black, one sherd having a very broad black top reaching down 100mm on the exterior, while other sherds are too small to give an idea about the breadth of the top. The exterior surfaces have a high-to-medium polish, with

Site documentation Excavation: Discovered but not excavated by Griffith. Trial excavation by SAS in 1956. A grid of 30 x 25m investigated by the SAS-UNESCO mission in 1960. Field notes: Adams Book II, front pages. Published references: Griffith 1921, 4-5. Griffith attributed this site to the A-Group period. In his short description of the surface features he mentioned potsherds decorated 17

smooth, uncompacted surfaces (Shape UI, slightly flattened base, Ware H1.01, H: 85mm, Rd: 145mm).

some polishing marks visible but not conspicuous. Some surfaces are slightly bumpy. The interior is black or dark brownish-grey, uncompacted, always slightly scraped, and sometimes bumpy. Only a band, up to 50mm broad, beneath the rim is black and polished, often with conspicuous, horizontal polishing marks. Wall thickness 5-8mm. a2. Rippled black ware (Ware Group N3). Exterior surface polished black and rippled very evenly, more or less vertically, though some are slightly oblique, running from left down to right, the ripples being c. 2-4mm broad and always conspicuous. Interior black, rippled horizontally, ripples not so deep and even as on the exterior, only ridges polished, the bottom parts of ripples left slightly shiny or matt. Wall thickness c. 5mm. a3. Smooth red polished ware with reddish-brown interior (Ware Group N2). The colour of the fracture is variable, brownish red fading into brownish grey towards the interior, or blackish grey with thin, brownish-red streaks at the exterior. The exterior surface has a wash, often dark (plum) red, with a brownish tint, evenly polished, normally not glossy. The interior fairly light brown with greyish tint, normally smooth, probably wet smoothed, not compacted. Slight grooves from scraping sometimes visible. Wall thickness 5-8mm.

Other finds Fragments of wood (one bag), pieces of burnt clay, some with basket impressions (one box), animal bones (one bag), horn cores (one bag). In addition there were a few pieces of stone implements and flakes of chert and quartz, and a piece of sandstone with grinding marks (no detailed descriptions available).

Site documentation Excavation: About one half of the refuse layer excavated by G. J. Verwers, autumn 1960. Field notes: Verwers Book III: 61-63. Photos: F/010:19-21. Site plan: None. Published references: Verwers 1962, 22.

24-M-5: Early Nubian campsite, Serra West Site specifications Setting: Located on deflated silt terrace above modern habitation, c. 800m from the river. Description: Thin scattering of sherds, charcoal, and stone implements over the surface. Two Middle Nubian burials recorded in the same area. Preservation: Very much denuded. Extent of site: c. 100 x 150m; no depth. Date: Habitation remains Early Nubian. Graves probably C-Group (see description below p. 82).

b. Sherds of Egyptian Predynastic marl fabrics Ware Family D, Fabric IVA (equivalent to Marl A1 in the Vienna System (Nordström and Bourriau 1993, 176, with references). There were a few sherds of Ware Group D1, two of a bowl with plum-red paint on interior, with radial burnishing streaks (should be designated as sub-group D1.1 in the classification system presented in Nordström 1972b).

Excavated units and finds

c. Sherds of Nubian origin Ware Families M and H, Fabrics IC, ID, and IIB. c1. Some sherds of Fabric IC or ID, with inclusions of sand grains and white soft particles and occasional, not conspicuous, straw particles. Fracture slightly flaky, of a light grey or brownish colour. Exterior surface blackish brown to greyish brown, always burnished slightly matt, sometimes nearly shiny, burnished normally after scraping, scraping marks normally visible. Interior wetsmoothed, brownish, or fairly dark grey, normally patchy. Burnishing marks in streaks. These sherds may be classified as Ware M2.01 of the Abkan tradition, but a definite identification can only be made after re-examination. c2. Sherds of Ware Group H1, including a few of Ware H1.01 and H1.02a, the latter with some burnishing streaks. c3. Plain sherds of Ware H2.11, fabric IIB, straw temper intermixed with soft white particles, uneven red wash on both sides, polishing streaks, wall thickness 4-15mm, probably several vessels, a few plain rim sherds with rounded edges. c4. Sherds of Ware H4.12, black-mouthed, milled rims, faint ripples on exterior; two sherds from one bowl. c5. Two sherds from a potstand (?) of coarse unfired clay, colour grey with brown tint, paste straw tempered.

The documentation here is restricted to the habitation remains. The excavation was limited to random testing of the surface. No occupation layer or structural remains were recorded. Some objects originated from the test pits.

Finds 0:1. Palette, whole, schist? (Figure 21g). Shape rectangular, with worn and chipped edges. Grey colour. Smooth surfaces, slight depression in centre of one side. L: 144, W: 81, Th: 13mm. 0:2. Axe, nearly complete, dark rock. Shape tapering end, roughly chipped edge, sides polished. Colour black, probably basement rock. L: 86, W: 41, Th: 22mm. 0:3:1. Hammer stone, whole, sandstone (Figure 16c). Shape oval disk. showing signs of working all around the edge. No finishing. Size 130 x 92mm, Th: 45mm. 0:3:2. Grinder, whole, granitic rock (Figure 16a). Oblong, with one flat work surface. Dark red to grey. L: 179, W: 90 x 56mm. 0:4. Hammer stone, whole, quartzite. Hemispherical, roughly shaped. Colour mottled red-white-black. D: 43-62mm. 0:5. Sample of lithic flakes and debitage and fragments of some eggshell and green mineral, possibly malachite (1 bag, no detailed description). 0:6. Sample of potsherds (1 bag, no description).

Pottery vessel 1. Small pottery bowl, whole, of brown ware with 18

Site documentation

Finds There is no description of lithic material from this site. The surface sample of potsherds taken to Khartoum was confined to one box and consisted probably of less than 100 sherds (numbers not recorded). The following description is based on notes made by H.-Å. Nordström in Khartoum in 1965. a. Some decorated sherds of Ware M2.01, Fabric IC, typical of the Abkan culture. The fabric is sandy and the paste fairly soft to medium hard, having a tendency to split and flake off. The exterior surface is brownish grey, rather patchy, fading into greyish black. All sherds are decorated on the upper half of the exterior, down to c. 40-45mm beneath the rim, with two rows of rocker-stamp impressions similar to Shaheinab Impressed ware 8 (Plate 9a; Arkell 1953, pl. 32:2). b. A number of decorated sherds of Ware M2.01, Fabric IC, of Abkan types. The paste is medium hard and not flaky. The decoration is confined to the exterior and consists of impressed patterns of small separated dots and rows of dotted zigzag patterns (cf. Arkell 1953, pl. 32:5, left). c. The majority of the sample consists of undecorated sherds of Ware M1.01 with smooth or scraped surfaces, and Ware M2.01 with a burnished exterior, often showing scraping marks beneath the burnishing streaks.

Excavation: Minor test trenching by G. J. Verwers, autumn, 1960. Field notes: Verwers Book III: 93-5 Photos: F/012: 42-46 Site plan: none Published references: Verwers 1962, 24.

24-M-7: A-Group storage pits?, Serra West Site specifications Setting: Located on the desert plateau, c. 1.5km from the river bank. About 15 pits found, all completely disturbed. Date: Probably A-Group.

Excavated units and finds The diameter of the pits ranged between 0.8 and 1.5m. The depths were not recorded. No human bones were recovered. A few pits contained some potsherds, probably of Early Nubian (A-Group?) wares. A gazelle (?) skeleton was found in one of the smaller pits. Grains were recorded in two pits.

Surface finds 0:1. Grinder, complete (rest.), granitic rock (Figure 19c). Oblong, with a narrow triangular section. Grey colour. Two surfaces worked. Pitted and worn from surface conditions. L: 297, W: 118 x 56mm. 0:2. Grinder, whole, granitic rock. Roughly oblong, with an irregular cross section. Buff colour. One side worked smooth; the ends have been used for hammering. Worn and weathered. L: 207, W: 108 x 81mm. 0:3. Grinder, whole, granitic rock. Oblong with a roughly triangular section. Colour dark-grey. Worked on two opposite sides. Ends appear to have been used for hammering. Worn and weathered. L: 233, W: 104 x 56mm. 0:5. Egyptian jar, Type probably AXIq, fragmentary, Ware D1.01. Shape RNI?

Site documentation Excavation: Investigated by G. J. Verwers, winter 1961. Field notes: Verwers Book IV: 39 Photos: F/020: 65-69 Site plan: None. Published references: Verwers 1962, 29 (second paragraph, site number not indicated).

6-B-6: A-Group habitation remains, Argin Site specifications Setting: Located very near and below modern houses in the central part of Argin village. Description: Low, irregular heap of boulders, with pottery and a stone grinder. No occupation debris. Function uncertain. Extent c. 3 x 15m. Disturbed by modern habitation. Date: Probably A-Group.

Site documentation Excavation: The outlines of the pits and some units cleared by G. J. Verwers, autumn 1960. Field notes: Verwers Book IV: 1. Photos: None. Site plan: None. Published references: None.

Excavated units and finds (Plate 2a) This site consisted of an irregular stone setting, c. 3m wide and c. 15m long, oriented SE-NW and made up of large sandstone slabs (200-600mm) and some boulders of granitic rock. Most of the stone heap was covered by wind-blown sand. In the fill there were some potsherds and in the middle a stone grinder (1). No excavation of the stone setting was carried out. Some test pits were made all around the heap in order to determine the extent of the site. These pits were all empty. Some traces of stone rows in some structural order were recovered near the centre and in the NW end. It is possible that the structure was the remains of a habitation of some kind.

24-R-16: Abkan campsite, Debeira West Site specifications Setting: Located on a small hill rather close to the river, near the C-Group cemetery 24-R-17. Description: Thin scattering of charcoal, sherds, and flints on the surface. Very denuded. Extent about 10 x 10m. Date: Developed Abkan.

Excavated units and finds Surface cleared. No hearths, pits or structural remains were recorded.

19

Finds The potsherds are of ordinary A-Group types, Ware Family H (no detailed documentation recovered). The only catalogued find is the following. 1. Grinder, whole, granitic rock (Figure 16b). Oblong, with one side worked to a flat surface. End appears to have been used for hammering. Reddish to black colour. L: 201mm, W: 92 - 63mm.

Setting: Located on open ground c. 50m from the present river bank. Description: Concentration of A-Group potsherds in a surface layer of sand. Very denuded. In the area there were some modern stone alignments and an abandoned irrigation ditch. Extent of site: c. 50 x 100m. Date: Mainly A-Group.

Site documentation

Excavated units and finds Some test pits were made across the area. No structural remains or other evidence of habitation were found. Some potsherds in the surface layers were of A-Group types (Ware Groups H1 and H4) and some were of unidentified wares, probably late.

Excavation: Cleared by H.-Å. Nordström, April 1961. No excavation. Field notes: Nordström Book II: 76-77. Photos: F/054: 10-12 Site plan: Sketch only. Published references: Nordström 1962, 44.

Site documentation Excavation: Tested for depth by H.-Å. Nordström, March 1961. Field notes: Nordström Book II: 45 Photos: none Site plan: none Published references: Nordström 1962, 50.

6-G-21: A-Group campsite, Gezira Dabarosa Site specifications Setting: Located in open ground below a sandstone scarp, c. 100m from the river bank. Potsherds and soot-coloured soil covered by wind-blown sand. No structures. Preservation: Habitation layer partially intact. Extent of site: Probably c. 50 x 100m. Date: A-Group.

6-F-3: Early Nubian campsite, Khartoum Variant and later; two undated graves, Gezira Dabarosa

Excavated units and finds

Site specifications

Potsherds were recorded on the surface within the site area. Initial testing revealed the remains of a thin occupation layer. A test trench, 10m long and up to 1m wide, was dug through the central part of the site and the following observations were made. An occupation layer, c. 100mm thick, consisting of soot-coloured soil and covering a compact natural sand layer on top of the alluvial silt, was found 200-300mm below a surface layer of loose, wind-blown sand. This sand layer at the surface and the occupation layer yielded some potsherds. There were no traces of hearths or structural remains.

Setting: Located in the vicinity of sites 6-G-18 and 6-G25, c. 300-500m from the river bank along the northern side of a prominent wadi, which had partially cut through the sandstone bedrock. Preservation: Campsite very denuded. Graves disturbed. Extent of site: About 50 x 200m. Date: Occupation of Early Nubian date (Khartoum Variant and later), graves of unknown date. Remark: The account below refers only to the testing done by the SAS-UNESCO mission in 1961.

Excavated units and finds

Finds Most of the finds consist of potsherds of Ware Family H, typical of the A-Group, brown coarse or smooth ware (H1.01), brown, burnished ware (H2.01), and RP ware (H2.11) being predominant. Besides, a broken rhomboid palette of quartzite was recovered from the occupation layer (no detailed documentation found).

The investigations of this site were confined to some testing along the wadi banks. A few pits were dug in order to find traces of an occupation layer. The site seemed to be much deflated. No structural remains were recorded. There were finds of potsherds and lithic material on the surface across the whole area. There is no detailed record available of these finds. Two disturbed adult burials were cleared, one (Grave 1) in the south-eastern part of the area, the other (Grave 2) in the north-western part, both lying at or very near the deflated surface. It is probable that these burials had been placed there long after the Early Nubian occupation. The original positions of the bones could not be determined. A clay pendant was found among the bones in Grave 1; it is more likely that this object originated from the Early Nubian habitation than from the burial (description below).

Site documentation Excavation: Test trench by H.-Å. Nordström, March, 1961. Field notes: Nordström Book II: 47 Photos: none Site plan: none Published references: Nordström 1962, 48-49.

6-G-19: A-Group campsite, Gezira Dabarosa

Finds (Plate 9b) The potsherds from the surface layers in the north-west-

Site specifications 20

ern, upper part of the site consisted of Ware Family K, typical of the Khartoum Variant phase. Predominant were greyish or light reddish sherds of Wares K1.01 (Fabric IA) or K1.02 (micaceous Fabric IB), both wares with impressed patterns on the exterior consisting of dense rows of dotted lines, sometimes with incised lines beneath the rim. The wall thickness was generally 50-80mm. The sherds from the lower, south-eastern part of the site were more similar to the A-Group pottery wares (one part of a bowl of Ware H1.01 with incised herring-bone pattern). Lithic tools that were sampled from the surface and the test pits included backed flakes and blades as well as points of various kinds. Clay pendant (near Grave 1). Oval shape, one end rounded with a hole, the other end straight and serrated, with distinct “teeth”, possibly a tool for pottery decoration. L of object: c. 40mm.

August 3, 2005, in the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the British Museum where the Colorado collections are kept. The primary selection for analysis was made by Maria C. Gatto. 6-F-3. EA 77458. Khartoum Variant wares occur in eight bags. Mostly abraded sherds of Fabric IA (no conspicuous mica inclusions), probably all of Ware K1.01. A few sherds with dotted line (rocker stamp) impressions. Abkan wares of Fabric IC occur in 29 bags. Ware M1.01 predominant, mostly undecorated with greyish, fairly smooth surfaces. Burnished sherds of Ware M2.01 fairly common. There are some decorated sherds with dottedline impressions and parallel grooves and a few sherds with black top, possibly of Ware Group M4. A-Group and similar wares occur in 11 bags. Sherds of Family H, mostly plain of Ware H1.01, a few blacktopped of Ware Group H4. One sherd of Ware H4.11 with parallel dotted lines, possibly Pre-Kerma. Later sherds occur in one bag.

Site documentation Excavation: Campsite tested for depth and two graves cleared by H.-Å. Nordström, 20th February, 1961. Further investigations by the Colorado University Expedition in 1964. Field notes: Nordström Book II: 33 Photos: F/034: 1 Site plan: None Published references: Nordström 1962, 48-49, pl. XIIIa.

6-G-25: Abkan and A-Group habitation site, Gezira Dabarosa Site specifications Setting and description (Figure 2): Located at the mouth of a prominent wadi, 125-150m from the river bank, adjacent to the southern side of the large A-Group and C-Group cemetery 6-G-18. Dark coloured habitation layer with a few hearths, fair amount of potsherds, charcoal, and faunal

Pottery from the Colorado University mission The following notes were made by H.-Å Nordström in

Figure 2. Site 6-G-25, Gezira Dabarosa, location of the test excavation in relation to the large A-Group and C-Group cemetery 6-G-18. Scale 1:250.

21

Square A2: a hearth in the south-western part, level 2, oval 300-550mm, consisting of small angular stones, size 50-100mm, fill carbon-coloured sand with some pieces of carbon, a few bones, including a burnt fish bone, and some potsherds, including a rim sherd of Ware Group M1 (milled rim). Square B1 (Plate 2d): a hearth located in the southern part, level 1, oval 700-800mm, built of stones 50-150mm in size. Some of these were placed on top of each other; some were coloured black by fire. The fill between the stones consisted of ash and carbon-coloured sand mixed with some burnt animal bones.

remains, partly covered by wind-blown sand. Preservation: Partially intact but mostly denuded and disturbed by heavy vehicles in modern times. Extent of site: About 50 x 100m. Date: Mainly Abkan and Middle A-Group. Secondary inclusions of plundered Terminal A-Group and C-Group material from the adjacent cemetery 6-G-18. Remark: The account below refers to the investigations made by H-Å Nordström in December 1962. The subsequent excavations by the University of Colorado Expedition in 1964 were recorded under the designation 6-G-18 and the notes and the finds from these are kept in the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, The British Museum. The present author analysed in 2005 a selection of the pottery from the Colorado mission and the results are given below under a separate heading.

Structural features Squares A4 and B4: structural feature, level 2-3, possibly part of a storage facility made up of a segment of a semicircle c. 1.3m in diameter built of small, angular stones. Among the stones and in the sand fill were a few animal bones including part of a mandible, a potsherd and pieces of charcoal This feature had clearly been flooded since it was covered by silt. Square B2: In the middle, at level 2, a concentration of amorphous pieces of fired clay within an area of 2m in a 20-30mm thick layer of carbon-coloured fine sand together with some round stones. There were finds of fish bones and some other animal bones.

Excavated units and finds The site was identified in November 1962 when the cemetery 6-G-18 was being completely excavated and a suitable area for the spoil heap was searched for. A more systematic investigation was consequently carried out within a grid of 15 squares, each measuring 5 x 5m, the complete area covering 15 x 25m. The findings can be summarised as follows.

Excavated area (Figure 2) Most of the finds and habitation features were located in squares A1-A5 and B1-B5, while only small amounts were recovered in squares C1-C5. The habitation refuse was found directly beneath the aeolean sand and restricted to a 300-400mm thick sand and mud layer, including the top of the alluvial silt, and displaying scattered concentrations of ash and carbon-coloured sand. Potsherds were abundant and there were numerous pieces of carbon and fired clay, probably from hearths, as well as ostrich eggshell, fish bones and bones from various mammals, some of them burnt (see below). Two levels could be identified. The upper level (1), 200300mm thick, was restricted to the loose deposits on top of the alluvial silt and yielded most of the finds. The lower level (2), 100mm thick, was integrated in the top level of the alluvial silt or, where this silt did not appear, directly on compact yellow sand. The differences between these two levels could be discerned more clearly in connection with structural features such as hearths, and in the lowerlying parts of the site, squares A5-C5. The field notes mention a third layer (3) that can be regarded as a flooded part of layer 2 (cf. structural features described below).

Faunal remains The following species were identified by Perkins (1965, 58). Fish bones were common, including Nile perch (Lates niloticus) and catfish (Clarias sp., possibly Synodontis sp. or Clarotes sp.). There were also finds of Nubian wild ass (Equus asinus africanus), hare (Lepus aegypticus), gazelle (Gazella ? dorcas ssp.) and some birds, including Egyptian goose (Alopochem aegyptiacus). There were many pieces of ostrich eggshell (Struthio camelus). From the top layer of this site there was one fragment of a large bovid (Bos sp., probably Bos primigenius) and a metapodial fragment, “almost certainly” according to Perkins, of Capra hircus, a small domestic goat. Pottery Detailed sherd counts were made in 1963 for all the excavated squares and summarised on the following table (Table 2). Decorated sherds are illustrated on Plate 9c-d. It should be pointed out that the difference between the Abkan wares of Family M and the A-Group wares of Family H was not yet identified in 1963. As regards the fine wares designated Classes C-D in the table, there was no specific record of plain versus rippled surfaces – a difference that later proved to be of chronological significance (cf. Nordström 1972b, 29 and 89). It is probable that most of the pottery recovered in the actual refuse layers were of Family H and likewise that there was a significant inclusion of sherds with rippled surfaces (cf. the Colorado finds listed below).

Hearths Square A1(Plate 2c): a hearth in the western part, level 1, diameter 600mm, consisting of a few sub-angular stones, size 50-100mm, together with carbon-coloured sand, a few pieces of fired clay, some fish bones (a piece of a spinal column and a piece of a tail intact), and a few sherds with scraped exterior, of Ware M1.02. Square A2 (Plate 2e): a hearth in the eastern part, level 2, diameter 600mm, built of a few round stones up to 300mm in size. Fill dark-coloured sand.

Fired clay Approximately 550 pieces of fired clay were found in square A1, at level 1, and c. 500 pieces in square B2, level 22

TABLE 2. SITE 6-G-25. SHERD COUNT (APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF SHERDS) COVERING THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE EXCAVATED AREA. Excavation units

Level 1

Level 2-3

Class A. Coarse or scraped wares (M1.01, M1.02, H1.01, H1.02a) Random surface 330 Squares A1-C1 180 Squares A2-C2 210 Squares A3-C3