Melejab comprises the village of Melejab, the island of Shyinirki on its north side, and other parts of the north edge of the island. There is a long-established Koranic school (khalwa) in the village.
MLG 001 19°57.182/30°22.655
Melejab-Shyinirki Fortifed site medieval
Enclosed site at NE end of island, c.95 x 40m. Large stone and mudbrick
‘tower’ house at NW end of drystone enclosure, with a second tower at E end
and gates at NE and SW sides. Foundations of several stone structures
in interior.
MLG 002 19°57.125/30°22.615
Melejab House medieval
Stone foundations of rectangular ‘castle-house’ structure on hilltop SW of
MLG001, with 6 rooms at ground floor. Foundations of smaller stone
structures around core building.
MLG 003 19°57.204/30°22.333
Melejab Structures
Subcircular rough stone structures within sandy wadi area among rocky hills.
Occasional undiagnostic handmade sherds in area.
MLG 004 19°57.195/30°22.330
Melejab Structures
Around summit of rocky hill close to river bank, 5 subcircular terraces/structures
with low rubble walls, with some internal divisions. Occasional handmade
sherds. Still used for wood storage.
MLG 005 19°57.174/30°22.138
Melejab Structures medieval
Irregular stone cairn c.1.4m high on summit of rocky hill, with a further
small stone structure at the E end of the hill. Occasional medieval
sherds in vicinity.
MLG 006 19°57.240/30°22.065
Melejab Structures medieval
Cluster of 18 rough stone structures among rock outcrops close to river
bank. Rough stone walls up to 1m high. Occasional medieval sherds
among structures.
MLG 007 19°57.197/30°22.622
Melejab House medieval
Medieval ‘castle-house’ within small stone enclosure c.50m W of MLG001. Core
structure has stone foundations and mudbrick superstructure with elements
of vaulted rooms surviving.
MLG 008 19°57.155/30°22.616
Melejab church? Medieval
Rectangular stone foundations in open ground between MLG001 and MLG002.
Poorly preserved and masked by rubble but possibly foundations of church,
c.8 x 7m.
MLG 009 19°57.144/30°22.655
Melejab cemetery? Medieval
Possible medieval (and later?) cemetery area in open ground to E of MLG008.
Graves marked by amorphous mounds with some stone. Fragments of hard white
gypsum-type plaster on surface. Small quantities of medieval and later sherds
in area.
MLG 010 19°56.81/30°22.166
Melejab Rock Drawings
Small groups of animal figures, mainly bovines, on rock outcrops S of Melejab
khalwa. Station 1 on S-SW face of boulder, with Station 2 to E on large cluster
of boulders on north side of track (19°56.809/30°22.294).
MLG 011 19°57.042/30°23.115
Melejab-Idriinirki Diffi postmedieval
Well-preserved Diffi with jalus walls on rough stone foundations. Main yard
measures max.18.5 x 18m with external towers at NE and SW corners. Relatively
recent additions on E side and yard still used for animal storage. Some further
small ruined structures to W of Diffi.
MLG 012 19°56.954/30°22.259
Melejab Diffi Diffi postmedieval
Diffi tower incorporated into large house complex within village, on S slopes
of rocky hill. Constructed in jalus and stone.
MLG 013 19°56.933/30°22.157
Melejab Khalwa Khalwa postmedieval
Complex of religious buildings of khalwa, including mosque, most rebuilt within
recent decades on site of some antiquity, reputedly spanning at least 10
generations .
MLG 014 19°56.883/30°23.995
Diffi Jurun Diffi postmedieval
Well-preserved diffi with main yard c.19 x 16m with 3 towers at SW, SE and
NE corners. Walls largely of rough stone with jalus upper levels.
MLG 015 19°56.918/30°24.995
Melejab occupation medieval
Sherd scatters of medieval pottery on low hillock between MLG014 and MLG011.
MLG 016 19°56.869/30°23.628
Melejab Structure
Small rough stone structure on rocky hillock just SW of MLG015, c.3 x 1.8m.
No sherds or lithics in area.
MLG017 c.19°56.8/30°24.5
Kilgel E Occupation A-Group
Scatters of burnished A-Horizon pottery among rocks close to river bank.
MLG018 c.19°56.1/30°24.7
Kilgel E Occupation Prehistoric
Extensive if thin lithic scatters (Epipalaeolithic?) amongst large rock outcrops
close to river.