The medieval palace/audience hall
of the Nubian kings of Makuria, at Old Dongola - later converted into a mosque
during the 14th century
During the 6th century, the Third Cataract seems to have marked a frontier zone between the Nobatian kingdom of Lower Nubia and the Makurians, centred on Old Dongola. Medieval Arabic sources also suggest that, as today, different forms of Nubian were spoken north and south of the cataract. During the seventh century, Nobatia was incorporated into the Makurian kingdom, with a local governor, and the material culture of the two regions appears more similar, although clearly some regional differences remained. As in earlier periods, the proximity of Egypt meant that [popualtions north of the Second Cataract had much greater access to imported artefacts, and probably much greater familiarity with Egypt.
The medieval palace/audience hall
of the Nubian kings of Makuria, at Old Dongola - later converted into a mosque
during the 14th century
During the medieval period, small agricultural settlements, whether isolated farmsteads or small villages, becomes a familiar pattern throughout the region. By the later medieval period there appears to be a shift towards more compact and fortified sites, probably reflecting the growing insecurity as the power of the Nubian kings waned.A fine medieval Nubian cup from the Dongola Reach
An impressive fortified site at Kisseenfarki, probably built in the late
medieval period and continuing in use into the 19th century. The core of this
structure may have originally been part of a monastic complex. Local traditions
associate the site with a famous 'bandit' Ali Barsi, active in the 1810s.
Many churches have been identified in the region. Some seem to relate to village settlements but others have been found in quite isolated locations, well away from settlements. The reason for this still remains unclear.
A small mudbrick church hidden among the rocks at Masida