Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

MtoM - EL-ZUMA

SUDAN

mound is proof of plundering. The burial
shaft resembles that of the other tumulus
(T.5), but the U-shaped plan with equal
sides was cut into solid ground. At the top,
the shaft measured 4.34 by 3.08 m, at the
bottom, about 4.28 by 3.08 m, the
maximum depth being about 2.38 m on the
northern side and 2.50 m on the southern
one [Fig. 4\.
At the bottom of the shaft there were
three niches hewn into the south and west
walls. Chamber 1, cut into the south wall,
measures 2.40 x 1.20 x 0.69 m. The other
chambers, 2 and 3, were cut side by side with

an arch-like opening in between. The former
was 2.35 x 0.74 x 0.67 m, the latter 2.32 x
1.04 x 0.67 m. The three chambers were
sealed with walls of large mud-bricks (44 x
22 x 13 cm), each measuring 0.60-0.70 m in
width. That of Chambers 2 and 3 was found
intact, but the wall blocking the entrance to
Chamber 1 appeared to have been disturbed
directly above the east end and partly
repaired at a later time. It is worth noting
that rare instances of chamber blockages
being repaired after plundering were
observed in the Fourth Cataract region (in
the Gdahsk Archaeological Museum


Fig. 4. Tumulus 25, ground plan of the shaft, top view (top lefi) and section at ground level (bottom
lefi); vertical cross-sections through the shaft and lateral chambers (Drawing A. Blaszczyk,
E. Klimaszewska-Drabot, M. Wybieralska; digitizing M. Puszkarski)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007