DOI issue:
Sudan
DOI article:Krzyżaniak, Lech: Kadero: preliminary report, 1999
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41274#0227
KADERO
SUDAN
EXCAVATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS
At the site of the Neolithic cemetery, the
trench of the previous seasons was
enlarged in a series of 17 squares (each 2 x
2 m) traced across the hill following
a NNW-SSE axis (squares nos. 899-902
and 913-925) and 36 squares at the
NNW end of this trench (squares nos.
639-674). The total excavated site has
now been considerably enlarged (Fig. 1).
All these squares were excavated to
a depth of 1.0-l.lm.
In the middens of the Neolithic settle-
ment, the testing, carried out chiefly to
obtain macro-botanical remains, com-
prised a series of 20 pits, each 1 x 1 m,
excavated in the northern and southern
middens. All the pits were excavated down
to virgin soil, which was reached at
0.45 m. The botanist first examined the
soil for observable floral remains, after
which the soil was sieved to recover and
record the non-botanical contents (pot-
sherds, lithics and animal bones).
The total number of Neolithic burials
found this season is 14. Twelve of these
were found in the large trench excavated
across the site, the remaining two were
noted away from the trench, during a rou-
tine examination of the surface of the
Kadero mound made each season.
Similarities with previously discovered
Neolithic graves at Kadero are numerous.
The skeletons were found in contracted
position and the tomb equipment com-
prised pottery vessels (Figs. 2 a, b) and
necklaces of carnelian beads. In some cases,
it was possible to trace the grave pit. In
most instances the age and sex of the
deceased was determined.
Studies of the geology and geomorphol-
ogy of the Kadero mound were initiated
with several dozen borings being made
along two lines following the N-S and
E-W axes of the site. In effect, some 180
samples of the soil were collected.
The respective samples — geological,
botanical, zoological (animal remains from
the settlement middens) and human
(teeth) — are now undergoing specialized
laboratory research.
SITE PROTECTION
The author's experience with desert sites
without architectural remains has led to
the development of a method for their
protection, which has been tested at
Kadero for the past few seasons. The
method requires a shallow rampart to be
built around the site, marked with red-
and-white painted posts of concrete, all
bearing an inscription in Arabic inform-
ing about the presence of an archaeologi-
cal site. The rampart-plus-posts have been
found to create a physical and psycholog-
ical barrier sufficiently big to keep away
lorry drivers, gravel diggers, road and
canal builders and the like. This year the
rampart was deepened and the posts
painted again.
Acting on instructions from the
National Corporation of Antiquities and
Museum, the expedition prepared a simi-
lar rampart around the nearby site of
Kadero 2.
225
SUDAN
EXCAVATIONS AND EXAMINATIONS
At the site of the Neolithic cemetery, the
trench of the previous seasons was
enlarged in a series of 17 squares (each 2 x
2 m) traced across the hill following
a NNW-SSE axis (squares nos. 899-902
and 913-925) and 36 squares at the
NNW end of this trench (squares nos.
639-674). The total excavated site has
now been considerably enlarged (Fig. 1).
All these squares were excavated to
a depth of 1.0-l.lm.
In the middens of the Neolithic settle-
ment, the testing, carried out chiefly to
obtain macro-botanical remains, com-
prised a series of 20 pits, each 1 x 1 m,
excavated in the northern and southern
middens. All the pits were excavated down
to virgin soil, which was reached at
0.45 m. The botanist first examined the
soil for observable floral remains, after
which the soil was sieved to recover and
record the non-botanical contents (pot-
sherds, lithics and animal bones).
The total number of Neolithic burials
found this season is 14. Twelve of these
were found in the large trench excavated
across the site, the remaining two were
noted away from the trench, during a rou-
tine examination of the surface of the
Kadero mound made each season.
Similarities with previously discovered
Neolithic graves at Kadero are numerous.
The skeletons were found in contracted
position and the tomb equipment com-
prised pottery vessels (Figs. 2 a, b) and
necklaces of carnelian beads. In some cases,
it was possible to trace the grave pit. In
most instances the age and sex of the
deceased was determined.
Studies of the geology and geomorphol-
ogy of the Kadero mound were initiated
with several dozen borings being made
along two lines following the N-S and
E-W axes of the site. In effect, some 180
samples of the soil were collected.
The respective samples — geological,
botanical, zoological (animal remains from
the settlement middens) and human
(teeth) — are now undergoing specialized
laboratory research.
SITE PROTECTION
The author's experience with desert sites
without architectural remains has led to
the development of a method for their
protection, which has been tested at
Kadero for the past few seasons. The
method requires a shallow rampart to be
built around the site, marked with red-
and-white painted posts of concrete, all
bearing an inscription in Arabic inform-
ing about the presence of an archaeologi-
cal site. The rampart-plus-posts have been
found to create a physical and psycholog-
ical barrier sufficiently big to keep away
lorry drivers, gravel diggers, road and
canal builders and the like. This year the
rampart was deepened and the posts
painted again.
Acting on instructions from the
National Corporation of Antiquities and
Museum, the expedition prepared a simi-
lar rampart around the nearby site of
Kadero 2.
225