Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

OLD DONGOLA

SUDAN

FIRST LAYER OF LIME PLASTER

Traces of decoration surviving on the walls
of the eastern and western arms indicate
that the figural decoration in this layer
covered the bottom parts of the walls as
well as the vaults. Preserved fragments
from the eastern barrel vault (P in Fig. 1)
suggested that the decoration had been
composed of representations of standing
men (warriors?) wearing black boots and
long white mantles (Pl).3) Judging by the
fragments of first-layer plaster recovered
from the fill, there could have been more

than two such figures. This is indicated
foremost by an almost complete face of
a Nubian warrior with a lance in his hand
(Fig. 3) and similarly treated fragments
suggesting parts of the body and dress.
The figures were depicted in a landscape
recalling a green meadow with a sprin-
kling of small, synthetically treated plants
featuring pale violet flowers. Apart from
the landscape painted in soft splashes,
floral elements appeared also as bands of
decoration on a white background.4)


Fig. 3. Face of a Nubian warrior from the first plaster coating
(Photo D..Zielinska)
3) Illustrated in PAM XIII, op. cit., Fig. 6.
4) Similar plant motifs occurred in the decoration of the monastery at Bawit: J. Cledat, “Le monastere et la necropole de
Baouit”, MIFAO 111 (1999), pi. 119, and in House A at Old Dongola: W. Godlewski, “The early period of Nubian art,
middle of 6th - beginning of 9th centuries”, in: Etudes nubiennes. Actes du VII Congres international d'etudes nubiennes,
3-8 septembre 1990 (Geneve 1992), 288.

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