Masida includes the village of Masida and the southern side of Arduan island, as far as Habarab, with a number of small settlements along both sides of the river channel which runs around the south of Arduan island (e.g. Gumaara).
MAS 001
Gumaara Gornyandi Diffi medieval-postmedieval
Irregular mudbrick enclosure with central tower/building on small rocky outcrop
close to river bank. Additional ruined mudbrick structures on W side.
Possible late medieval foundation with more recent occupation.
MAS 002
Gumaara Settlement medieval
3 small poorly preserved mudbrick structures on low rock outcrops. One structure
perhaps a very small church, eroded to foundation level. Building to
E has deposits 1-2m deep with possible remains of narrow vaulted rooms.
MAS 003
Gumaara Rock Drawings
Scatter of drawings of long-horned bovine on rock outcrops along N side of
hamlet.
MAS 004 19°53.49/30°22.039
Gumaara Rock Drawings
Small group of rock drawings of animals and riders.
MAS 005
Gumaara-Sheikh Afatna Graves
Small group of tombs on raised silt bank. Erosion/collapse has exposed N-S
oriented graves covered with stone slabs, probably Islamic, but medieval pottery
also found on surface.
MAS 006
Gumaara east Occupation medieval
Foundations of rectilinear structure of 3-4 rooms outlined in small boulders
and slabs set into ground, c.7.6 x 9.4m. Medieval and more recent pottery
in vicinity and kiln debris. Some additional sherd scatters and minor
walls in surrounding rocks.
MAS 007
Gumaara Graves medieval
Small area of graves with small stone mounds (1.5-2m diameter) and possible
outlines of E-W oriented graves visible on surface. Surface sherds
of fine medieval pottery.
MAS 008
Gumaara Graves
Scatter of small low cairns built of small stones, <2m diameter, 20-30cm
high. Occasional medieval sherds.
MAS 009
Gumaara W occupation
Prominent flat-topped mound near mouth of prominent khor, c.7-10m diameter.
Silty surface heavily burnt just below surface. Occasional undiagnostic wheelmade
sherds and stone slabs around mound. Worked quartz and Neolithic?
sherds just below mound.
MAS 010 (91/59) 19°54.030/30°19.590
Hambukol Deimi Diffi postmedieval
N of Fogo hamlet a large stone-built Diffi located on a small hill on the
N bank of the khor. The site was largely built of mud-mortared rough
stone with a large tower and 2 enclosures c.36 x 20m. The eastern enclosure
contains several part-buried Soma storage jars.
MAS 011 (91/76) 19°53.572/30°22.974
Gezira Masida Rock Drawings
Two rock drawings stations were noted on this small island:
a) In a prominent position at the W end of the island on a large W-facing
boulder is a single large figure of a man carrying a spear, reminiscent of
another better executed drawing within Masida church (see MAS021-29). Differences
in technique and patination indicate that the 2 crude drawings of cattle
on the same boulder are unlikely to be contemporary.
b) Some 75m to the E on rocky southern slopes is a single, poorly executed
human figure, possibly of quite recent date.
MAS 012 (91/77) 19°53.59/30°23.11
Gezira Masida Occupation Medieval
In the central area of the island, extensive scatters of medieval sherds indicate
the presence of a medieval settlement, probably buried beneath modern buildings.
MAS 013 19°53.687/30°22.338
Gumaara Palaeolithic
Palaeolithic artefact scatters.
MAS 014 19°53.667/30°22.444
Gumaara Mesolithic
Mesolithic artefact scatters.
MAS 015 19°53.417/30°22.295
Hambukol Rock Drawings
Small group of drawings on N facing boulders, S of river channel.
MAS 016 19°53.484/30°22.022
Hambukol Rock Drawings
Small group of drawings on N facing boulders, S of river channel.
MAS 017 19°53.864/30°21.209
Gumaara Lithics & rock drawings
Palaeolithic artefact scatters among rock outcrops. Occasional small
rock drawings closeby.
MAS 018 19°53.755/30°21.157
Gumaara Structure & Rock Drawings medieval
Small irregular stone shelter amongst rocks. Rock Drawings in vicinity.
MAS 019? 19°53.764/30°20.151
Hambukol Diffi Hukaak Diffi postmedieval
Small poorly preserved structure set on rock outcrops on S side of road through
hamlet. Possibly incorporates older vaulted rooms.
MAS 020 (91/78) 19°53.622/30°23.532
Aliiki Fortified village Medieval-Islamic
This fortified village covers an area of some 0.4ha, on two prominent hills
overlooking the river channel on the S side of Arduan island. The enclosure
walls are relatively well preserved but few of the internal structures now
survive except for a well-built blockhouse on the E side, measuring c.7m
square. Surface sherds include Late and Terminal Christian and
Islamic material.
Refs: Waddington & Hanbury 1822:35.
MAS 021 (91/29) 19°53.012/30°23.575
Farjar-Masida Church + rock drawings medieval
Built amongst large boulders of a small rocky spur running W from J. Barja,
this small well-preserved mudbrick church measures 7 x 10m and in places
stands over 4m tall. Its E end is built against a massive boulder with
rock drawings of a large human figure and 2 animals (see MAS029 below).
MAS 022 (91/56) 19°53.703/30°20.439
Hambukol Rock Drawing
Some 500m W of the school a single drawing of a boat lies on the S face of
a large boulder on the N side of the road.
MAS 023 (91/55) 19°53.746/30°20.784
Hambukol Madrasa- Diffi Duuni Islamic
At the E end of the village, close to the river is a small well-preserved
Diffi built of mud and stone. This is of unusual construction, built
of mud-mortared stone foundations and jalus superstructure, with notably rounded
corners.
MAS 024 (91/54)
Hambukol E Occupation Prehist
SE of the school at the edge of the village, a thin scatter of lithics and
early pottery was noted in a heavily eroded area among small boulder outcrops,
between the road and the river.
MAS 025 (91/75)
Masida W Structures Prehist?
Lying opposite the W end of Masida Island, a number of low stone walls were
noted running over the rocky hills. A number of crude stone structures
built amongst the large boulders were also noted. Dating remains uncertain
although a small number of possibly Neolithic sherds were found among the
rocks.
MAS 026 (91/57)
Hambukol Fogo W Occupation ?
Just to the W of the hamlet among rocky hills N of the road, towards the
river, a number of low wall lines were noted running approximately E-W and
at least 2 small stone shelters. These structures may be quite modern
although occasional medieval sherds may be found among the rocks.
MAS 027 (91/58) 19°53.718/30°19.751
Hambukol Fogo Rock Drawings
Two small groups of drawings:
(a) S of the road near the W end of the village on steep rock outcrops.
A group of 4 uncertain animal figures, a human figure and a 5-pointed star
cover the N face of a large boulder and a group of poorly defined animal figures
lie on the S face.
(b) 2 more drawings were N of the road among rocky hills between the village
and the river.
MAS 028 (91/60)
Hambukol Fogo Graves ?
Just above the hamlet on its N side a number of graves were noted cut into
the hillside, aligned near N-S. One example was seen which had been
recently pillaged. Their date remains uncertain but the few sherds seen may
be post-Meroitic although finds of scarabs have been reported in the area.
MAS 029 (91/52) c.19°53.1/30°23.55
Masida Rock Drawings
Three rock drawing stations were found on rocky spurs running W of J. Barja.
a) The E end of the church (MAS021) is built against a massive boulder on
which there are drawings of a large human figure with a spear and 2 animal
figures. While no good parallels for this drawing are known, a Meroitic date
might be suggested
b) 100 m. W of the church on the N side of the spur is a finely executed figure
of an elephant. Closeby is another unidentifiable animal figure.
c) On the S face of the next spur to the N, a further large but very schematic
elephant figure is drawn on a low-lying boulder.
Refs: Station (b): Allard-Huard & Huard 1983:48, Fig.29.5.
MAS 030 (91/53)
Masida Occupation Prehist
At the E end of the valley between the ridges running W from J.Barja, NE
of the church (MAS021), a thin scatter of Neolithic? sherds was noted and
a small subcircular stone structure, partially covered by blown sand.