Early Makuria Research Project. Excavations at El-Zuma in 2017 preliminary report

Abstract

During the tenth season of excavations at el-Zuma the mission resumed the previously postponed excavation of the last two tunnels beneath tumuli T.1 and T.4. Both tumuli were classified as Type I burials, based on their large size and unique construction. The exploration of the said two tunnels was essential as each was expected to lead directly to the main burial chamber. Although the chambers were reached, yet they were found seriously rifled. Nonetheless, new modified elements of burial niche construction were discovered. The protection of the tumuli field was also completed during the course of the season

Kings and peasants from El-Zuma/El-Detti microregion in the Early Makurian period. Economic aspects of animal bones from funerary contexts

“…It is one of the biggest sites of this type and the only one in the region of Dongola Reach that has been excavated in such a great degree. The regular excavations in El-Zuma have been carried on since 2005 [1, 2, 3, 4, 34]. The tumuli were classified by Artur Obłuski [35] into three categories on the basis of the differences in superstructures and later on this classification was confirmed by Mahmoud El-Tayeb [2, 4], who also analyzed their substructures.…”

“…Tumuli at El-Zuma have been excavated for twelve years (seasons 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017). Some of the results were published by M. El-Tayeb [1,2], M.El-Tayeb & E. Czyżewska [3] and M. El-Tayeb et al [4], yet it seems that there is still very little known about the people who buried their deceased at the cemetery. The bone material from two seasons of excavations was analyzed by M. Osypińska [5, 6].…”