ARDUAN (site code ARD)

Arduan village, the main settlement on Arduan island comprises several smaller settlements towards the NE of the island.  This is the most productive part of the island. The village was the base for the 2000 survey.

ARD 001 
Arduan Settlement pre-Kerma
Extensive surface spread of abundant pottery and occasional lithics on stony lower terraces. Test excavation revealed several storage pits and postholes from settlement site of late Neolithic/early Kerma type.

ARD 002 
Arduan  Occupation pre/early Kerma
Sherd scatters amongst rock outcrops including two possibly complete pots; possibly a ritual deposit ?

ARD 003  19°56.56/30°20.36
Arduan  Rock Drawings
Rock Drawings in rock outcrops E of Arduan village, mainly medieval (Christian) crosses in 2 locations.

ARD 004  19°56.567/30°20.36
Arduan  Rock Gongs
2 ‘rock gongs’ on boulders to E of Arduan village.

ARD 005  19°56.46/30°20.45
Arduan Occupation medieval/postmedieval?
Extensive spreads of medieval sherds amongst rock outcrops to E of Arduan village.  Mainly coarse wares including qadus and qullas. Possible kiln site in vicinity?

ARD 006  19°56.640/30°20.421
Arduan  Rock Drawings
Group of 3 crosses and another motif on W facing boulder close to river channel on S side of Mugur island.

ARD 007  19°56.048/30°19.506
Arduan  Structures medieval
Subcircular rough stone structure c.4m diameter in sheltered location on S side of rock outcrop. Further possible wall lines beside it, partly sanded. Occasional medieval sherds.

ARD 008  19°56.081/30°19.409
Arduan  Lithic scatters
Lithic scatters and occasional Neolithic sherds in open area to NW of ARD007, deeply cut by 2 gullies.

ARD 009  19°56.094/30°19.337
Arduan Cemetery? medieval
Surface spreads of medieval pottery in open area by small khor, with small ridge running through it.  Small  stone mounds may indicate cemetery.  Sherds include ‘Early Christian’, both red and white wares, including small fine bowls.

ARD 010 
Arduan  Occupation medieval
Pot spreads at base of rocky hill slopes.  Mainly Post-Classic and later types.  No structural remains visible in area.

ARD 011  19°55.887/30°18.713
Arduan Diffi post-medieval
Large well-preserved Diffi on S edge of khor at edge of low rock outcrop.  Towers and parts of walls built of rough stone, capped with jalus superstructure. 4 corner towers and 3 main rooms.  Several large grindstones in yard and inner room.

ARD 012 
Arduan-Sadeig Occupation medieval/postmedieval
Large low mound in Sadeig near Mosque and Islamic cemetery. Ruined mudbrick qubba. Scatters of medieval pottery suggesting Islamic cemetery overlies medieval site.

ARD 013 
Arduan - Cemetery -  Napatan-Meroitic
Small cemetery on ancient silt banks at desert edge. N side disturbed by construction of new houses, damaging some graves.
2 graves excavated. Meroitic and possibly late Napatan sherds on surface and grave fills.

ARD 014  19°56.642/30°19.860
Arduan Diffi post-medieval
Fragmentary remains of diffi built of rough stone and jalus, on edge of cultivated area.

ARD 015  19°55.652/30°18.291
Arduan-Konj Qubba
Ruined qubba tomb in cemetery area on N side of village. Medieval sherds noted in area.

ARD 016  19°55.798/30°19.881
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 017  19°55.668/30°18.505
Arduan Occupation medieval
Spreads of  medieval sherds on silt terraces just below rocky terraces in area to S of cultivation.  No structural remains or graves visible.

ARD 018  19°55.732/30°19.821
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 019  19°55.630/30°19.871
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 020  19°55.632/30°19.874
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 021  19°56.051/30°20.003
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 022  19°55.607/30°20.121
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 023  19°55.563/30°20.173
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 024  19°56.452/30°20.372
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 025  19°56.330/30°20.367
Arduan  Palaeolithic
Artefact scatters of Palaeolithic material.

ARD 026  c.19°55.6/30°18
Arduan Konj Findspot  Neolithic
Reported findspot of 3 Neolithic polished stone axes in rocky outcrops SE of Konj hamlet.
 

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