Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

SHEMKHIYA

SUDAN

a considerable area around Wadi el-
Khineish. The full extent could not be
determined during the brief reconnaissance
this year. The petroglyphs were carved
on irregular sandstone ridges running
independently of the course of wadi. The
ease with which this stone could be cut and
incised must have contributed greatly to
its choice as a background for the glyphs.

A preliminary examination of the
drawings has identified beside the nume-
rous and quite recent representations of
camels [Fig. 1, bottom], several glyphs
of bovines and giraffes {Fig. 1, top right],
showing different degrees of weathering.
There are also many geometrical motifs and
complicated arrangements of unclear nature
requiring a closer examination in the future.

JEBEL GURGURIB IN THE SHEMKHIYA REGION

The huge blocks of granite making up
Jebel Gurgurib conceal an abundance of
interesting petroglyphs. It is a natural
passage from the east, from the deep desert
into the Nile valley, frequented even today
by goat and sheep herders. One wadi was
selected for thorough documentation in
order to gain a general idea of the character
of this cluster of rock-art sites. About a half
of the wadi was completed this season. Some
22 sites were noted, ranging from single
representations on isolated blocks to big
clusters consisting of up to 14 boulders and
more than 100 petroglyphs. The wider
context is considered when documenting,
paying attention to the location of petro-
glyphs, their relation to the surrounding
environment and the way they are incorpo-
rated into the landscape.
The general impression is that the
petroglyphs in this wadi are like a gallery of
pictures for the nomads approaching the
Nile valley. They are executed in perfectly
visible places, very often natural points of
navigation and indeed, this may have been

their original function. Places suitable fot
a night's rest are exceptionally abundant in
rock art. These are natural stone shelters
rising above the floor of the wadi, protected
from the sun and cold winds, giving instead
a marvelous view of the herds grassing
below.
Most of the petroglyphs depict camels or
camel riders, sometimes in groups of up to
15 individuals {Fig. 2, top]. They differ in
style and technology of execution. Seldom
encountered are representations of other
quadrupeds — dogs, goats, sheep, bovines.
Geomettical signs and crosses are also
present. Much more rare are the evidently
older petroglyphs, distinguished by heavier
patina and a different style and subject
matter; these are mainly images of long-
horned bovines {Fig. 2, bottom], A closer
examination of some cases of evident
superimposition interesting could be help-
ful in establishing a chronological sequence.
Evidence of settlements and temporary
human activity, found in a few cases, should
also be of assistance in this respect.


Summing up, the range of rock art motifs
identified this year is generally consistent
with what has already been recorded for

other parts of the Sudanese Nile Valley
(Hellstrdm, Langballe 1970; Jesse 2005;
Kleinitz, Koenitz 2006; Kleinitz, Olson

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