DOI issue:
Sudan
DOI article:Jakobielski, Stefan: Old Dongola: Kom H, site NW
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41241#0169
inscription does not list his bishop's rank, it is to be believed that
the foundation is earlier than AD 1063, that is, before his
episcopate, which lasted 50 years. The style of the mural in
question suits such a dating well and judging from the style of
other paintings in the building it seems that its interior (including
the original part of it) was not decorated earlier than in the middle
of the 11th century.
Of the 10 murals in Building NW-S (including five found in
the last season), some deserve special attention. The earliest group
(mid-11th century) most probably comprises, apart from the
foundation of Georgios, a huge painting of Archangel Michael
with a nicely preserved figure of the donor, archipresbyter
Marianos, depicted as a small figure against the Archangel's wing
on the west wall in Room 22. The entire eastern wall of this room
is occupied by a Nativity scene that follows Nubian tradition in
incorporating such elements as the adoration of the Magi and
Shepherds, but with important novelties: the running soldiers with
drawn swords alluding to the Massacre of Innocents, and
a standing figure identified as Isaias the Prophet* * * 5, perhaps
connected with the composition. A rare motif, not found as yet in
Nubian painting, can be observed in the representation of Three
Youths in the Fiery Furnace, namely, the figures of stokers feeding
(no. 1), pp. 40-43. The stele of Georgios is published by A. Lajtar, Greek
Inscriptions from the Monastery on Kom H in Old DongoSa, ibidem,
pp. 50-55.
5 Cf. M. Martens-Czamecka, Wall Paintings from the Monastery on
Kom H at Old Dongola, Akten d. 6. Internationalen Koptologenkongrefi,
Munster 20.-26. Juli 1996 (in print).
Fig. 2. Old Dongola. Part of the Building NW-S, excavated
in season 1996. 1) The earliest Monastery building NW-E; 2) Building
NW-S, original phase - 10th century or earlier; 3) The first rebuilding
including the yard - 10th/l 1th century; 4) Georgios’ rebuilding -
mid 11th century; 5) Later constructions - 12th century. Elaborated by
A. Wojcik and K. Pluskota.
165
the foundation is earlier than AD 1063, that is, before his
episcopate, which lasted 50 years. The style of the mural in
question suits such a dating well and judging from the style of
other paintings in the building it seems that its interior (including
the original part of it) was not decorated earlier than in the middle
of the 11th century.
Of the 10 murals in Building NW-S (including five found in
the last season), some deserve special attention. The earliest group
(mid-11th century) most probably comprises, apart from the
foundation of Georgios, a huge painting of Archangel Michael
with a nicely preserved figure of the donor, archipresbyter
Marianos, depicted as a small figure against the Archangel's wing
on the west wall in Room 22. The entire eastern wall of this room
is occupied by a Nativity scene that follows Nubian tradition in
incorporating such elements as the adoration of the Magi and
Shepherds, but with important novelties: the running soldiers with
drawn swords alluding to the Massacre of Innocents, and
a standing figure identified as Isaias the Prophet* * * 5, perhaps
connected with the composition. A rare motif, not found as yet in
Nubian painting, can be observed in the representation of Three
Youths in the Fiery Furnace, namely, the figures of stokers feeding
(no. 1), pp. 40-43. The stele of Georgios is published by A. Lajtar, Greek
Inscriptions from the Monastery on Kom H in Old DongoSa, ibidem,
pp. 50-55.
5 Cf. M. Martens-Czamecka, Wall Paintings from the Monastery on
Kom H at Old Dongola, Akten d. 6. Internationalen Koptologenkongrefi,
Munster 20.-26. Juli 1996 (in print).
Fig. 2. Old Dongola. Part of the Building NW-S, excavated
in season 1996. 1) The earliest Monastery building NW-E; 2) Building
NW-S, original phase - 10th century or earlier; 3) The first rebuilding
including the yard - 10th/l 1th century; 4) Georgios’ rebuilding -
mid 11th century; 5) Later constructions - 12th century. Elaborated by
A. Wojcik and K. Pluskota.
165