Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (16.2004(2005))

BANGANARTI

SUDAN

ten. Perhaps the visit of Teeita remained in
connection with their feast.
Another interesting inscription belong-
ing on an earlier layer of plaster was found
on the northern column engaged in the
southeastern support. The Old Nubian text
reads: "O God of Michael (or: O Saint
Michael), cause Arouase to live through the
savior of King David". The author of the
inscription is otherwise unknown. The
King David mentioned in it should
probably be identified as one of the two
kings of this name, father and son at that,
who occupied the throne of Makuria in the

1260s/1270s. This again confirms the date
of the laying the last layer of plaster (some-
time after November 1280), pinpointed
thanks to the previously discussed inscrip-
tion. It is interesting to observe that the
inscription makes reference to some troubles
that King David had encountered, but was
saved from by God (or by St. Michael). This
may be an allusion to conflicts within the
reigning dynasty of Makuria, which led to
the Egyptian intervention ending with the
capture of Dongola, the flight of David the
son to the south and his death in Cairo as
a prisoner.7


! ' ’■r.xpjfttty ■ y.w %n-yMi
NAV- ■
. y - . if ,

Fig. 2. Inscription of Teeita on the first layer of plaster on the eastern wall of Room 19 in the Upper
Church (Photo W. Chmiel)
7 For this troublesome period of Nubian history, see most recently D. Welsby, The Medieval Kingdoms of Nubia (British
Museum: London 2002), 242-245.

312