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Archaeological Sites In Sudan

At the outset, it has to be noted that a number of important archaeological sites once existed along the northern borders at the Nuba region. However, as a result of the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Lower Egypt. Water flooded these sites in 1964.Thus, some temples and relics; as well as unique archeological artifacts were relocated to the Khartoum National Museum and were later reconstructed and kept there. Among these were artifacts from Aksha, Buhen, Semna West, Semna East, the tomb of Djehuty-hetep and the columns of the cathedral at Faras. Archaeological artifacts were kept in the National Museum and the paintings of Faras churches were exhibited in the museum gallery.

The following are some of the archeological sites worth visiting:

1. Kerma
   Location: situated some 35 km north of Dongola on the eastern bank of the Nile just north of the modern Kerma town.
   Date: Bc 2500- 1500 Bc.
   Main attractions: the western or lower Daffufa (a Nubian term of or any upstanding brick ruin).
2. Nuri
   Location: situated about six miles above Karima, and approximately a mile south of the river which runs there from north to south- east.
   Date: Napatan.
   Main attractions: large tumulus and pyramid necopolis.
3. Jebel El Barkal.M
   Location: these site lies at the foot of Jebel El Barkal on the right bank of the Nile as its follows downstream because of the great bend the river runs southwards, passing on the eastern site of the Jebel El Barkal.
   Date: Napatan- Meroitic.
   Main attractions: A large Napatan and Meoitic temple and palace complex, with a pyramid cemetery nearby. The palace of King Natakani (12B.C- A.D12) and temple of God Ammon.
4. El Kurru.
   Location: situated 15 km south of Karima town, on the right bank of the Nile which runs at that place from north to south- east.
   Date: Napatan. Main attractions; the large tumulus and pyramid necropolis of the first Kings of Napata.
5. Sanam Abu Dom.
   Location: the site lies on the opposite side of the Nile from Jebel El Berkal about 5 km downstream. Date: Napatan. Main attractions; important temples, storehouses and a palace.
6. Meroe
   Location; situated on the eastern bank of the Nile, 4 miles north of Kaboshiya station in Shendi area.
   Date; Meroitic.
   Main attractions; It's the capital of the Meroitic Kingdom, the royal city with several temples especially for the god Amoun, and largely unexcavated rubble mounds with evidence for iron working and kilns. Immediately to the east there lies the sun temple, and 3pyramid cemeteries where the great kings and queens were buried.
7. Naqa
   Location; located in the Wadi Awatib 159 north east of Khartoum in the Butana district Shendi, and 38 km east of the asphalt road which connects Khartoum to Shendi and beyond.
   Date; Meroitic.
   Main attractions; The well-preserved lion temple, build around 15 BC-15 AD by Queen Amanitore (20-0) BC, it was dedicated to the lion headed god Apedamak.
8. Muswarat Es Sufra
   Location; the site is located some 15 km east of Naqa, a and 30 km from the Nile.
   Date; Meroitic.
   Main attractions; There is a massive complex of temples and other buildings centered on the (Great Enclosure).
9. Wad Ban Naga
   Location; this town is situated at the edge of the flood plan, on the eastern bank of the Nile, 75 km south of the site of Meroe.
   Date; Meroitic.
   Main attractions; The Royal palace of Queen Amanishakhete (35 BC-20 AD).
10. Tombos
    Location; situated 9 km north of Kerma, and on the eastern bank of the Nile.
    Date; pharaonic- Meroitic.
    Main attractions; the fortified settlement (Christian Islamic), Inscriptions (Pharaonic) and other buildings.
11. Sai Island
    Location; The Island of Sai is 9 km. South of Abri in the northern region.
    Date; pharonic, Napatan, Meroitic and Christian.
    Main attractions;
    *A large fortress dating back to the Egyptian New Kingdom (1550-1080 AD);
    *Temples and buildings dating to the Napatan Period.
12. Tabo
    Location; this site is situated about 40 km north of Dongola on the island of Argo. Date; pharaonic (New Kingdom).
    Main attractions; A very large pharaonic temple. P6 Kawa. Location; situated at 5 km north of Dongola on the eastern bank of the Nile.
    Date; Napatan-meroitic.
    Main attractions; It's a major Meroitic town site which includes several temples and remains of houses and domestic quarters
13. Sedeinga
    Location: on the western bank of the Nile at a distance of 35 km south of Abri. Date; Meroitic.
    Main attractions; the so-called tombo Of Taharqa (Tiharqo) plus a temple built by the pharaoh Amenohetep iii. Soleb.
    Location; lies on the western bank of the Nile, of the third cataract and 40 km south of Abri.
    Date; pharaonic.
    Main attractions; the magnificent temple of Amenohetep iii in honor of the royal god Ra; and of himself.
14. Sesebi.
    Location; this village is located 23 km south of Soleb on the western bank of the Nile.
    Date; pharaonic.
    Main attractions; A temple founded by Akhenaton (Amenohetep IV) {14thcentury BC.).
15. Old Dongola.
    Location; situated at 109 km south of Dongola town, and 30 km north of Debba.
    Date; Christian.
    Main attractions; A large town with several churches built. Plus the fact that it was the capital of the Christian Kingdom Known as El Maquria (540- 1317 AD).
16. Soba East.
    Location; 15 km south of Khartoum on the eastern bank of the Blue Nile.
    Date; Christian.
    Main attractions; It was the historical capital of the Kingdom of Alwa (540-1504 AD).
17. Sennar
    Location; located on the western bank of the Blue Nile, 350 km south east of Khartoum.
    Date; Islamic.
    Main attractions; this was the capital of the Funj Islamic Kingdom (1504-1821 AD).
18. Abu Fatma
    Location; it is situated at 9 km north of Kerma on the eastern bank of the Nile just south of Tombos.
    Date; Islamic.
    Main attractions; A Qubba (Domed tomb) which lies on a rocky spur, measuring 110 x 45m.which is still visited as a religious site.
19. Suakin
    Location; located 50 km south of Port Sudan, to the east of the Red Sea Hills.
    Date; Islamic.
    Main attractions; houses, mosques, government and military establishments.
20. Kura.
    Location; on the north of Jebel Marra (mount. Marra)
    Date; Islamic (Fur Kingdom)
    Main attractions; this was the capital of Darfur at one time