The spring 2000 season (March-April ) was centred on Arduan, a large island measuring some 12 x 6km, located in the heart of the Third Cataract zone.  This is the second largest island on the Nile (if barely an island at low river) and remains relatively isolated and thinly populated.
 

During the season, a walking reconnaissance of nearly all the island margins and the area of Fad was completed with some transects into the interior, mainly to assess the potential of palaeolithic sites.

Some 80 new sites were recorded while further recording was carried out on about 10 sites outside the island.

Return visits were also made to most sites on the east bank between Tombos and Kedurma located in previous seasons, to assess their current condition as well as to more accurately locate them with a GPS.  Working in conjunction with a language/toponymic survey carried-out by members of the Institute of African and Asian Studies, University of Khartoum, supervised by Herman Bell, a novel and very useful feature of this season’s work was the collection of oral histories and traditions concerning the island and many of its archaeological sites.

some archaeological finds..
 
 

Little Neolithic material was found on the island - these sherds come from near Amla  (AML001), near the southwest corner of Arduan island.

Neolithic polished stone axes from Konj-Arduan  (ARD026) - found by a local inhabitant

 

One major discovery this year was a large late prehistoric settlement on the desert edge behind Arduan village.  Comparable 'Pre-Kerma' pottery recently discovered at Kerma has been dated to around 3000BC.

Incised and impressed 'pre-Kerma' pottery  from Arduan  (ARD001)

 
 

At the west end of Arduan village a Meroitic cemetery was located, having recently been disturbed during the course of the construction of new houses.  Surface pottery included a range of decorated coarse pottery.  Two partially disturbed graves were excavated.  This picture shows the entrance of one grave with part of the original stone blocking still in situ.  A few pieces of possibly Napatan pottery were also found.

 
 

Ongoing work on postmedieval/Islamic period sites recorded several more of the distinctive Diffi (fortified houses) which are a prominent feature of this region.  This example is in Fad East  (FAD005), opposite the east end of Arduan island.  In the foreground are rows of mud storage bins.

 

In addition to staff from the Institute of African and Asian Studies (University of Khartoum) we were also joined from Nairobi by Eva Ormrod (Cardiff University) on a graduate attachment to the British Institute in Eastern Africa to gain experience of working in the region.  We are grateful to the NCAMS for granting the survey license and the University of Khartoum for supporting the project.  Thanks also to the inhabitants of Arduan (especially Abdel Nur, Nurediin and Ustaz Maalik), Hamdi and all our friends in Mashakeila, also Daniel and Ahmed el Motassim and many others for all their participation, assistance and hospitality. Core funding for this season was provided by the Haycock Fund of the British Institute in Eastern Africa

relaxing by the Nile