The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan was excavated in part by the Sudan Antiquities Service... more The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan was excavated in part by the Sudan Antiquities Service in 1953 and 1954, and is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the country. A new project of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums of Sudan revisited the ruins with a site presentation project coupled with excavation geared to bringing out a final publication of the remains, which are of utmost importance for studies of medieval Nubian history. Site surveying (including geophysics) and mapping occupied most of the short season in 2012, but some unexpected discoveries were also made.
The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the ... more The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in two consecutive seasons in the winter of 2013 and 2014. The excavations focused on the southeastern part of the site. They led to the discovery of a second monastic church (South Church) adjoining the church (North Church) known from Peter Shinnie’s work at the site, as well as a sanitary complex consisting of latrines and associated rooms located along the east wall of the monastery. Building material from the South Church, textual and pottery finds recovered during the two seasons, as well as conservation of the wall plaster preserved in the North Church are reported in this article.
The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three ... more The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three seasons of fieldwork by a team from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology. On the plateau, investigations were carried out in the southern part of Building D (Rooms D.50 and D.41–D.44), northern part of Building E, western part of the 12th–13th-century Cemetery A and Building I. A 6th-century Hermitage EE.06 in the Naqlun hills to the east of the plateau was cleared, yielding a collection of study material, especially pottery from the kitchen unit dated to the second half of the 5th–6th century. The assemblage from the kitchen unit was composed of cooking pots and saucepans; tableware was represented by goblets, plates and bottles (qullae), while storage/ transport vessels mainly by amphorae. Products of Egyptian workshops were mixed with imported wares of North African and Eastern Mediterranean origin (including Cyprus, Cilicia and Gaza).
The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the ... more The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in two consecutive seasons in the winter of 2013 and 2014. The excavations focused on the southeastern part of the site. They led to the discovery of a second monastic church (South Church) adjoining the church (North Church) known from Peter Shinnie's work at the site, as well as a sanitary complex consisting of latrines and associated rooms located along the east wall of the monastery. Building material from the South Church, textual and pottery finds recovered during the two seasons, as well as conservation of the wall plaster preserved in the North Church are reported in this article.
In 2008 the Polish team excavating the Coptic monastery in Naqlun returned to the exploration of ... more In 2008 the Polish team excavating the Coptic monastery in Naqlun returned to the exploration of a late antique rubbish dump at the southernmost end of site B. The article deals with the architecture, construction materials and techniques of an adjacent building, which was cleared and reexamined for this purpose. New structures were uncovered to the east and north of these vestiges, identifying in consequence two complexes of units. Well-made lime pavements found in each unit of one of the complexes outlined several features probably reminiscent of a peristyle courtyard. The presumed courtyard and units around it may have served different purposes, but the original function is unknown. Its location outside the walls of the monastic compound and the nearness of a local trail could shed light on this issue. All the buildings on site B can be dated in all likelihood to the 10th–11th century.
The walls of a late antique–medieval monastic complex at Nekloni (Naqlun) spreading on a plateau ... more The walls of a late antique–medieval monastic complex at Nekloni (Naqlun) spreading on a plateau at the foot of Gebel al-Naqlun in the southeastern Fayum Oasis bear evidence of damage or destruction by fire. The extent of this conflagration is one issue to be considered: evident clusters of burnt walls are concentrated around the landmark Building A with more dispersed traces of burning to the south and north of it. Another issue is the date of this event, which the present author places closer to the end of the 10th or in the first decades of the 11th century. The monastery burned down at the very heyday of its existence, this prosperity attested by a collection of gold coins as well as pieces of decorated codices recovered from the ruins, giving a date prior to the 11th century. Whatever the reason for this conflagration, it did not put an end to the existence of the monastic community in this area. Soon after that some of the monastery buildings were rebuilt, and others, like the main church, were refurbished and repainted.
The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three ... more The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three seasons of fieldwork by a team from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology. On the plateau, investigations were carried out in the southern part of Building D (Rooms D.50 and D.41–D.44), northern part of Building E, western part of the 12th–13th-century Cemetery A and Building I. A 6th-century Hermitage EE.06 in the Naqlun hills to the east of the plateau was cleared, yielding a collection of study material, especially pottery from the kitchen unit dated to the second half of the 5th–6th century. The assemblage from the kitchen unit was composed of cooking pots and saucepans; tableware was represented by goblets, plates and bottles (qullae), while storage/transport vessels mainly by amphorae. Products of Egyptian workshops were mixed with imported wares of North African and Eastern Mediterranean origin (including Cyprus, Cilicia and Gaza).
The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in t... more The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the country. A new project of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums of Sudan revisited the ruins with a site presentation project coupled with excavation geared to bringing out a final publication of the remains, which are of utmost importance for studies of medieval Nubian history. Site surveying (including geophysics) and mapping occupied most of the short season in 2012.
The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan was excavated in part by the Sudan Antiquities Service... more The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan was excavated in part by the Sudan Antiquities Service in 1953 and 1954, and is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the country. A new project of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums of Sudan revisited the ruins with a site presentation project coupled with excavation geared to bringing out a final publication of the remains, which are of utmost importance for studies of medieval Nubian history. Site surveying (including geophysics) and mapping occupied most of the short season in 2012, but some unexpected discoveries were also made.
The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the ... more The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in two consecutive seasons in the winter of 2013 and 2014. The excavations focused on the southeastern part of the site. They led to the discovery of a second monastic church (South Church) adjoining the church (North Church) known from Peter Shinnie’s work at the site, as well as a sanitary complex consisting of latrines and associated rooms located along the east wall of the monastery. Building material from the South Church, textual and pottery finds recovered during the two seasons, as well as conservation of the wall plaster preserved in the North Church are reported in this article.
The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three ... more The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three seasons of fieldwork by a team from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology. On the plateau, investigations were carried out in the southern part of Building D (Rooms D.50 and D.41–D.44), northern part of Building E, western part of the 12th–13th-century Cemetery A and Building I. A 6th-century Hermitage EE.06 in the Naqlun hills to the east of the plateau was cleared, yielding a collection of study material, especially pottery from the kitchen unit dated to the second half of the 5th–6th century. The assemblage from the kitchen unit was composed of cooking pots and saucepans; tableware was represented by goblets, plates and bottles (qullae), while storage/ transport vessels mainly by amphorae. Products of Egyptian workshops were mixed with imported wares of North African and Eastern Mediterranean origin (including Cyprus, Cilicia and Gaza).
The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the ... more The article reports on archaeological and conservation work carried out by the expedition of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology University of Warsaw in cooperation with the Sudanese National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums in two consecutive seasons in the winter of 2013 and 2014. The excavations focused on the southeastern part of the site. They led to the discovery of a second monastic church (South Church) adjoining the church (North Church) known from Peter Shinnie's work at the site, as well as a sanitary complex consisting of latrines and associated rooms located along the east wall of the monastery. Building material from the South Church, textual and pottery finds recovered during the two seasons, as well as conservation of the wall plaster preserved in the North Church are reported in this article.
In 2008 the Polish team excavating the Coptic monastery in Naqlun returned to the exploration of ... more In 2008 the Polish team excavating the Coptic monastery in Naqlun returned to the exploration of a late antique rubbish dump at the southernmost end of site B. The article deals with the architecture, construction materials and techniques of an adjacent building, which was cleared and reexamined for this purpose. New structures were uncovered to the east and north of these vestiges, identifying in consequence two complexes of units. Well-made lime pavements found in each unit of one of the complexes outlined several features probably reminiscent of a peristyle courtyard. The presumed courtyard and units around it may have served different purposes, but the original function is unknown. Its location outside the walls of the monastic compound and the nearness of a local trail could shed light on this issue. All the buildings on site B can be dated in all likelihood to the 10th–11th century.
The walls of a late antique–medieval monastic complex at Nekloni (Naqlun) spreading on a plateau ... more The walls of a late antique–medieval monastic complex at Nekloni (Naqlun) spreading on a plateau at the foot of Gebel al-Naqlun in the southeastern Fayum Oasis bear evidence of damage or destruction by fire. The extent of this conflagration is one issue to be considered: evident clusters of burnt walls are concentrated around the landmark Building A with more dispersed traces of burning to the south and north of it. Another issue is the date of this event, which the present author places closer to the end of the 10th or in the first decades of the 11th century. The monastery burned down at the very heyday of its existence, this prosperity attested by a collection of gold coins as well as pieces of decorated codices recovered from the ruins, giving a date prior to the 11th century. Whatever the reason for this conflagration, it did not put an end to the existence of the monastic community in this area. Soon after that some of the monastery buildings were rebuilt, and others, like the main church, were refurbished and repainted.
The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three ... more The complex of the Nekloni monastery in Fayum (Deir el-Naqlun) was explored in yet another three seasons of fieldwork by a team from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology. On the plateau, investigations were carried out in the southern part of Building D (Rooms D.50 and D.41–D.44), northern part of Building E, western part of the 12th–13th-century Cemetery A and Building I. A 6th-century Hermitage EE.06 in the Naqlun hills to the east of the plateau was cleared, yielding a collection of study material, especially pottery from the kitchen unit dated to the second half of the 5th–6th century. The assemblage from the kitchen unit was composed of cooking pots and saucepans; tableware was represented by goblets, plates and bottles (qullae), while storage/transport vessels mainly by amphorae. Products of Egyptian workshops were mixed with imported wares of North African and Eastern Mediterranean origin (including Cyprus, Cilicia and Gaza).
The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in t... more The medieval monastery at Ghazali in Sudan is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in the country. A new project of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, and the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums of Sudan revisited the ruins with a site presentation project coupled with excavation geared to bringing out a final publication of the remains, which are of utmost importance for studies of medieval Nubian history. Site surveying (including geophysics) and mapping occupied most of the short season in 2012.
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