LATE ANTIQUE FORTS AT THE CONFLUENCE OF THE NILES
Channel: European Association of Archaeologists
Date: 2020-11-28

The confluence of the White Nile and the Blue Nile is where the largest cities of Sudan are located (Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri). On the northern outskirts of Omdurman, there are remains of three regular forts investigated recently by the author. They are dated to the late Antique period. The forts constitute the southernmost end of a chain of fortifications built in the Middle Nile Valley. The chain is approx. 550 km long and starts in the Fourth Cataract Region and ends at the confluence. It consists of altogether 11 fortified sites which resemble regular small forts build across Roman Empire. The late Antique period in the Middle Nile Valley was when Meroitic rulers lost their influence and the region was taken by Nubians who constituted new kingdoms. The period saw conflicts which included Axumite armies and nomadic peoples. Roman influence was strong in the region. Nubians and nomadic Blemmyes living next to the Roman frontier at the First Cataract were made foederātus. This is well confirmed in written sources and by archaeological finds from elite graves of the period. Is the chain of forts another sign of close relationships with Roman Empire? Did Romans provide aid sending their specialists? Where the forts built under the supervision of Roman engineers? If yes, then more similarities with Roman forts should be expected upon closer examination. To explore the subject, first, a detail architectural analysis of the Middle Nile forts was conducted focusing especially on a comparison of the forts metric systems. Then, secondly similar Roman forts were sought and compared in more detail. The results of the analysis will be discussed during the presentation.


Author(s): Drzewiecki, Mariusz (Institute of Mediterranean and Oriental Cultures, Polish Academy of Sciences)