Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

FOURTH CATARACT

SUDAN

peculiar construction of the superstructures
were adequate grounds for firm chrono-
logical identification. Nonetheless, some
ten Christian graves were accidentally
opened on Saffi 46, which had originally
been registered as a probable Kerma site
(due to the misleading evidence of some
Kerma-related potsherds found on the
surface). A precise E-W orientation and
extended supine position of the skeletons,
which suggested Christian practice, were
corroborated by tiny, but diagnostic
fragments of potsherds.
The only structure on the island that
might be interpreted as a "church" is Saffi
21. The edifice is 8 m long, preserved only
in the foundation course, oriented E-W
with entrance from the south, a screened off
narthex-like space on the west and an apse
on the east [Fig. 12]. It is well contexted
with diagnostic Christian sherds. The
proximity of a huge Christian cemetery on


Fig. 11. Cluster of graves 2, 3, 4 from Saffi 28
cemetery (Drawing A. Blaszczyk,
E. Klimaszewska-Drabot)


Fig. 12. The would-be church on Saffi 21
(Drawing M. Momot)

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