DOI article:
Jakobielski, Stefan: Old Dongola 1989-1990
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26389#0072
converted into a mosque and churches of Classic Christian date. The continuity of
building traditions would suggest that the structure in question originates from the
earliest period of Islamic rule in Dongola.
J. Dobrowolski, who carefully examined building A.l, concentrated his attention
on the characteristic shape of the corner entrance tower-gate. Analogous, although
much later, are three gates in houses located in the area of the abandoned village (Korn
C) further to the south, also measured in the course of the 1989 season. The gate
belonging to House C.3 (18^ century?) possessed a kind of machicolation - a round
opening in the roof above the wide passage permitting an attack from above on the
enemy attempting to force the entrance.
In the western part of the abandoned village a large storied house C.l (23 x 25m)
was examined and measured. It belonged to a known and meritorious Dongolan family,
the Suar ad-Dahab. Investigation of the building technique, spatial layout and interior
equipment partly preserved in House C.l brought new and interesting material for the
study of the development of Post-Christian residential architecture in Nubia.
SURVEY OF THE CEMETERY AREAS
The survey covered three cemeteries: TEQ - east of the northernmost part of
Dongola town, TWH - west of Korn H and TSJ - lying close to the North Church (NC). The
main goal was to fill out a chronological sequence of grave types known from Dongola,
suggested by the earlier examinations of burial sites TEE, TNH TDC and RT (Fig. 1).
Some of the graves excavated in the 1989 season deserve special attention. TEQ.1.7
is a more than 2m deep slot-like trench roofed over with mudbrick, containing a body
shrouded in linen. Remnants of a rectangular mudbrick superstructure (mastaba) were
still distinguishable on the surface. The dating of the grave to the Early Christian
Period was confirmed by C1* dating (second half of the 7tb century).
Classic Christian tombs (burial chamber built of mudbrick and barrel-vaulted,
accessible by a small entrance from the shaft on its western side) are best represented
70
building traditions would suggest that the structure in question originates from the
earliest period of Islamic rule in Dongola.
J. Dobrowolski, who carefully examined building A.l, concentrated his attention
on the characteristic shape of the corner entrance tower-gate. Analogous, although
much later, are three gates in houses located in the area of the abandoned village (Korn
C) further to the south, also measured in the course of the 1989 season. The gate
belonging to House C.3 (18^ century?) possessed a kind of machicolation - a round
opening in the roof above the wide passage permitting an attack from above on the
enemy attempting to force the entrance.
In the western part of the abandoned village a large storied house C.l (23 x 25m)
was examined and measured. It belonged to a known and meritorious Dongolan family,
the Suar ad-Dahab. Investigation of the building technique, spatial layout and interior
equipment partly preserved in House C.l brought new and interesting material for the
study of the development of Post-Christian residential architecture in Nubia.
SURVEY OF THE CEMETERY AREAS
The survey covered three cemeteries: TEQ - east of the northernmost part of
Dongola town, TWH - west of Korn H and TSJ - lying close to the North Church (NC). The
main goal was to fill out a chronological sequence of grave types known from Dongola,
suggested by the earlier examinations of burial sites TEE, TNH TDC and RT (Fig. 1).
Some of the graves excavated in the 1989 season deserve special attention. TEQ.1.7
is a more than 2m deep slot-like trench roofed over with mudbrick, containing a body
shrouded in linen. Remnants of a rectangular mudbrick superstructure (mastaba) were
still distinguishable on the surface. The dating of the grave to the Early Christian
Period was confirmed by C1* dating (second half of the 7tb century).
Classic Christian tombs (burial chamber built of mudbrick and barrel-vaulted,
accessible by a small entrance from the shaft on its western side) are best represented
70