ASHSHAW-HANNIK
Hannek (Hannik al-Hilla) is the southernmost Mahas village on the west bank,
with the villages of Tiifaawir and Ashshaw to the north. Tiifaawir has two
hamlets, Tiifaawir proper and Faad to the south. Ashshaw is the seat of the
sheikhdom and has two hamlets, Ashshaw/ Kalonmaar and Kamriinikki/Oronmaar.
Running west of Hannik is an ancient Nile palaeochannel known as Gaamuffa.
This has been irrigated and cultivated since the late 1980s by the Ashshaw-Hannik
Cooperative Agricultural Scheme. In this area, many patches of burnt soils
have been noted. These have been noted in many other parts of northern Sudan
and various suggestions have been made as to their origins. Our experience
in this region has been that while some may represent ancient hearths or kilns,
many may be natural features, probably left by the burning of trees.
The modern village of Hannik appears to be a relatively recent foundation,
reputedly founded by one ‘Ata Hamza Muhammed, from a family originating at
Shadda, near Kokke. Until the 20th century they had lived on the island of
Kisseenaarti. During the Mahdiyya the island served as a refuge and the family
has survived the famine of ‘year 6’. Before the village was established, the
fortified diffi (HNK001) seems to have been the main focus of settlement on
the west bank although relatively little is known about the site. In the village
cemetery at Hannik the tomb of Sheikh Saalih Kambaal, reputedly linked to
the Kokke kings, was buried in 1288AH/1871-22.
We have little historical information concerning this area.
Some rather vague traditions seem to survive concerning attempts by the ‘Funj’
to conquer the area. These were reputedly first repulsed by the ‘kings’
of Hannik, destroying the Funj army, before the Hannik kings were overwhelmed
by treachery. A building c.500m SW of the diffi, in the village of Abjarbuun-Akkad
is known as Diisban qubba, supposedly built of blood-soaked soil, following
the defeat of the Funj army. More detailed information, or indications of
when these events might have occurred are still lacking.
There are several other small islands in the area, seasonally cultivated.
The island of Kulun Balle beside Ashshaw seems to bear a Dongolawi name.
It was apparently the home of a faqiir, buried at Simit West (see below),
whose descendants still live on the island. The island is also called Dufranaarti.
The topographic survey reported several potentially interesting sites on the
island which need further investigation.
HNK001
Hannik Fortified Site
A large post-medieval fortified site, on the edge of the river, just to
the south of Hannek village. The core structure is a rectangular diffi,
measuring c.25 x 20m in the NE part of the complex. Still quite well-preserved,
it has a large tower in the NW corner and another in the centre of the S
wall, with walls standing up to 5m high in places. Much of the NW corner
is eroded. To the SW is a large sub-rectangular enclosure, extending over
c.1ha, of which parts of the W and S walls survive, and structures built against
them – these are known locally as the ‘stables’ . Associated with the
site is a rough stone barrier running west, which serves to define the Mahas
frontier. The core of the site is reputed to be the palace of the 'kings'
and may represent the seat of one of the local governors of the post-medieval
‘Kokka kingdom’. The site has cultivation to the S and W and further fields
are being established within the enclosure, threatening many of the surviving
ruins. (Refs: 90/MH1a)
HNK002
Hannek Occ/Cemetery? Kerma, Medieval/Islamic?
This large site in open land NW of Hannek castle measures c.350 x 250m.
Thin scatters of sherds include wheelmade medieval Christian material and
less diagnostic, possibly post-medieval pottery and is probably a cemetery
site, although no tomb superstructures were noted. Some Kerma period sherds
were also noted within the cemetery area, including imported Egyptian marl
wares. (Ref: 90/2)
HNK003
Tiifaawiir Habitation Pharaonic
A low kom covered with small stones and sandstone rubble. Surface
material includes small quantities of redbrick fragments, sherds of wheelmade
and handmade pottery, including New Kingdom silt and marl wares and some
Napatan pottery. Fragments of conical bread moulds were found, again
probably of Napatan date. These surface remains and the presence of
the bread moulds suggest that the kom may mark the site of a small temple.
Close to a junction of several irrigation canals, the site has been disturbed
by the extension of a local agricultural scheme and is seriously threatened.
(Ref: 90/3)
HNK004
Tiifaawiir Habitation – Kerma/Pharaonic
This site lies just to the SE of HNK003 in an area of open land with dense
scatters of sherds and pebbles over an area of c.7000m2. Surface material
includes Kerma-type handmade pottery, rare lithics and Pharaonic wheelmade
siltwares which may include both New Kingdom and some possible Napatan material.
(Ref: 90/4)
HNK005
Hannik Graves Post-Meroitic?
Two large possible tumuli, S of Hannek, close to a modern cemetery. No surface
sherds found but probably post-Meroitic. (topo2/30)
HNK006
Hannik Hilla graves?
Large stone-covered mound to W of Hannik Hilla; with at least one likely
grave mound. No surface sherds noted. (Ref: topo2/4)
HNK007 19°43.36/30°21.425
Hannik Sheikh Diyaab Shrine Postmedieval
Circular grave to NW of Hannik, surrounded with stones. A shrine associated
with a Sheikh Diyaab. Recent incense burners deposited by it. (Ref: topo2/31)
HNK008 19°43.62/30°21.87
Hannik Rock Drawings
A small group of rock drawings on a W-facing boulder in a small rocky area
to E of HNK009. Includes early oared boat and animals, including a camel.
(Ref: topo2/33)
HNK009
Hannik Cemetery Postmeroitic?
Group of at least 9 large tumuli, surrounded with stones, midway between
Tiifawiir and Hannik. Some recent disturbance of graves shows deep shafts.
Occasional surface sherds. Further graves with stone outlines to E of tumuli,
some probably oriented N-S. (Ref: topo2/32)
HNK010
Hannik Structure?
Postmedieval
Small mounds covered with redbrick fragments. No sherds noted. (Ref: topo2/36-37)
HNK011 19°43.62/30°21.87
Hannik Rock Drawings
Small group of rock drawings to E of HNK009 in rocky area, on W facing boulder.
Include boat with oar, possible camel figure and possible scorpion. (Ref:
topo2/33)
HNK012
Hannik Occupation
Neolithic
Extensive scatters of sherds and lithics on margins of rocky outcrop.
HNK013 19°43.91/30°21.662
Tifaawiir Faad rock gong+drawings
Group of rock drawings on W-facing boulder in rocky outcrop to W of Tifaawir.
Drawings include ovicaprines and cattle. Rock gong closeby (19°43.92/30°21.663).
(Ref: topo2/53)
HNK014
Tifaawir Faad structure?
Possible stone foundations from structure or possibly graves, SW of Tifaawir.
No sherds in area. (Ref: topo2/51)
HNK015
Tifaawir Faad graves?
Group of mounds, SE of Fad. Scatters of stone on surface. No sherds or bones
visible. (Ref: topo2/49)
HNK016
Tifaawir Kisseenaarti ?church site?
Extensive spreads of redbrick rubble and sherds on the west side of the
island. (Ref: topo2/59)
HNK017
Tifaawir Faad enclosure
Rough stone foundations running south to area of rocks. Sherd scatters
in vicinity, probably medieval. (Ref: topo2/52)
HNK018
Tifaawir Deekamindiffi Diffi
Poorly preserved diffi to E of village and cultivation, close to the
river bank. Stone foundations measuring c.28 x 24m. Parts of mudbrick
superstructure survive in SW side, with parts of tower in NE corner.
Well-preserved saqia pit with stone lining on E side of tower. Local
traditions suggest the diffi was occupied by the Ansar in the 1880s. There
are also traditions of specialist weavers living there, perhaps brought there
(from Arduan?) by the Ansar during the Mahdiyya. A link to the Ansar
commander Younis al-Dikeem is possible. (Ref: topo2/45)
HNK019 19°44.316/30°22.102
Tiifaawiir Shambaalinkid
Rock drawings
Series of rock drawings, mainly cattle on large boulders to E of hamlet.
(Ref: topo2/56)
HNK020
Tiifaawiir Cemetery
Medieval?
Group of circular graves, surrounded by small black stones. Scatters of
medieval and brown-burnished handmade pottery in area. W of Tifaawiir, the
site is threatened by building construction on the N and S side. (Ref: topo2/55)
HNK021
Tiifaawiir Graves ?
Group of graves N of HNK022. Stone slab coverings visible on one example.
Medieval and more recent pottery scatters in area. (Ref: topo2/54)
HNK022 19°44.624/30°22.063
Tifaawir Fagiir Khayri shrine
Shrine outlined in large stones, on N side of Islamic cemetery. A large
pink-red boulder on the east side of the cemetery was identified as where
sacrifices were made and offerings cooked. Traces of further structures are
visible close to this boulder. (Ref: topo2/57)
HNK023 19°44.67/30°22.128
Tifaawir Rock drawings+sherd scatters
Several rock drawings on long rocky ridge (running WNE-ESE) through which
the lorry track passes N of Tifaawir. In 4 main groups, with scatters of medieval
and later sherds in their vicinity.
1) Cattle and circle-with-cross designs on N-facing boulder on W side of
road. (Ref: topo2/64, 19°44.67/ 30°22.128). This circle-and-cross
motif has not been seen elsewhere in the region, although it is known from
one site at Shirgondinarti in the Second Cataract area (Hellström1970:
138, corpus type X12).
2) Animal drawings (camel and goats?) on large W-facing boulder. (Ref: topo2/63,19°44.67/30°22.128)
3) (Ref: topo2/62, 19°44.68/30°22.115)
4) Cattle drawings of W-facing boulder. (Ref: topo2/61, 19°44.69/30°22.096)
HNK024
Tifaawir structure? Postmedieval?
Remains of small structure built in rough stone and mud, close to rocky
outcrop. Some grindstones in the area and scatters of undiagnostic sherds.
(Ref: topo2/60)
HNK025 19°45.01/30°21.976
Ashshaw fagiir shrine
Small shrine outlined in stones in SE part of modern (but abandoned) cemetery,
S of Ashshaw village. Reputedly still venerated within living memory. (Ref:
topo2/71)
HNK026
Ashshaw Diffi
Poorly preserved diffi, built in jalus and mudbrick, located N of Ashshaw
in cultivation area. Now largely demolished, one tower and part of the western
wall survives. (Ref: topo2/70)
HNK027
Ashshaw Island/Kullenballe ruins
Foundations of 4 rooms built of stone and jalus on W side of island. Scatters
of medieval pottery and grindstone fragments noted in area. (Ref: topo2/74)
HNK028
Ashshaw Island/Kullenballe structure
Small structure built in a mixture of jalus and mudbrick, c.4 x 5.5m; to
N of HNK027. Scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery and grindstones
in area. (Ref: topo2/79)
HNK029
Ashshaw Island/Kullenballe occupation?
Stone and pebble-covered mound, no sherds. Uncertain. (Ref: topo2/78)
HNK030
Ashshaw Is Occupation Medieval
Extensive spreads of medieval pottery in rocky are on W side of island.
(Ref: topo2/76)
HNK031
Ashshaw Is Occupation Medieval
Extensive spreads of medieval pottery in rocky area on W side of island.
(Ref: topo2/77)
HNK 032 19°43.15/30°22.15
Hannik kisseenaarti Rock Drawings
Several rock drawings and a rock gong
1) Rock Drawings (Ref: topo2/14,19°43.14/30°22.17)
2) Rock Drawings (Ref: topo2/11,19°43.16/30°22.14)
3) Rock Gong (Ref: topo2/12, 19°43.17/30°22.14)
4) Rock Drawings (Ref: topo2/10,19°43.17/30°22.14)
HNK033
Hannik Diffi OshiinKoorid Diffi
Poorly-preserved ruin of large diffi (c.40 x 50m) located on boundary between
Hannik and Tifaawir. Mainly stone foundations with some remnants of mudbrick
internal structures in the NW corner. At least two towers. (Ref: topo2/6)