MUSUL Island (site code MSL)

The small rocky island of Musul is downstream of Simit and to the west of Nab. Like the other island, it is quite barren and rocky and settlement is limited to a small number of hamlets mainly on the east side of the island: Gaame, Duwwiinikki, Hambujikki, Abjaalikki, Saab and Ireesikki. It was visited during the toponym survey during 2001 and the first archaeological survey was carried out in 2002.

MSL 001    
Saab    Church?     Medieval
Part of a granite column lies east of the masiid, and probably indicates the site of a church in the vicinity. Ref:1/189

MSL 002   
Jebel Saab  Structure    Postmedieval?
Snmall stone structure. Associated with a Fagiir Idriis. Ref: 1/189

MSL 003   
Diffi    Postmedieval
Ruined diffi with NW and SW towers surviving. Foundations of stone and mud superstructure. Ref: 1/192

MSL 004   
Hambuujikki    Diffi    Postmedieval
Diffi on east bank with 4 towers. Foundations of stone and mud superstructure with some mudbrick and redbrick elements. Reused decorated medieval sandstone block in NW tower. Ref: 1/195

MSL 005   
Ab Jaalikki    Rock Drawings
Three groups of rock drawings, on east sides of rocks. Ref: 1/205-7

MSL 006   
Gaame    occupation Med/postmedieval
Surface scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery in sandy area between houses and cultivation. Ref:22/1

MSL 007   
Gaame    occupation Med/postmedieval?
Surface scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery in rocky area on S side of hamlet. Ref: 22/2

MSL 008   
Gaame    Rock Drawing
Single drawing of animal of east-facing boulder, south of MSL008. Ref: 22/3

MSL 009   
Gaame Structure (kiln?)
Traces of circular redbrick structure, possibly a kiln. Medieval and postmedieval sherds scatters in area. Ref: 22/4

MSL 010  
Gaame    structures    postmedieval?
Several rough stone structures in rocky area. Sactters of medieval and postmedieval sherds in area. Ref 22/5

MSL 011   
Gaame    Structures    postmedieval?
Traces of jalus walls in area with dense scatters of medieval and postmedieval sherds and several grindstones. Ref: 22/6

MSL 012   
Gaame    Occupation    Neolithic-Kerma
Extensive scatters of lithics and sherds at foot of rocky area, west of MSL011. Ref:22/7

MSL 013   
Gaame    structure        Med/postmedieval?
Traces of stone foundations and sherd scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery. Ref: 22/8

MSL 014   
Gaame    Graves    Medieval/postmedieval?
Samll group of circular graves with stone surrounds, with surface scatters of bone and pottery. One N-S oriented grave noted to west of graves. Ref:22/9

MSL 015   
Graves ?
Small stone covered mounds in open areas amongst rocks. Occasional sherds,some possibly Neoltihic in area. Ref: 22/10

MSL 016   
Structures    Med/Postmedieval?
Several subcircular rough stone structures, 3-5m diameter, amongst rocks. Scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery in area. Ref: 22/11

MSL 017   
Structure     Med/Postmedieval?
Poorly preserved rough stone structure, amongst rocks west of Gaame. Thin scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery in area. Ref: 22/12

MSL 018   
Gaame    cemetery & structure    Med/postmedieval?
Stone enclosure c. 10m across in area with sherd scatters and redbrick rubble, and probable medieval and postmedieval graves. Ref: 22/13

MSL 019  
Structure     ?
Poorly preserved and irregular rough stone structures, amongst rocks west of Gaame. Thin scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery as well as possibly Kerma sherds in area. Possible tumuli. Ref: 22/14

MSL 020   
Shrine     Postmedieval?
Rectangular stone structure, 4.5 x 1.9m, oriented E-W.  No sherds in area but an iron axehead fixed in west side of structure. Ref: 22/15

MSL 021   
Hambuujikki W     structures     Med/Postmedieval
Subcircular rough stone structure to W of hamlet amongst large outcropping boulders. Thin scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery. Ref: 22/16

MSL 022   
Ireesikki  S    Occupation    Kerma
Surface scatters of Kerma sherds and lithics at foot of low rocky area, south of hamlet. Ref: 22/17

MSL 023   
Structure     postmedieval?
Rough stone structure in open land NE of hamlet, Thin scatters of medieval and postmedieval pottery. Ref: 22/19

MSL 024   
Abjaalikki Occupation Med/postmedieval?
Thin scatters of medieval/postmedieval pottery on small natural mound NW of hamlet. Ref: 22/22

MSL 025   
Abjaalikki Graves Medieval?
Probable medieval graves, some partly exposed N of modern cemetery. Ref: 22/23

MSL 026   
Abjaalikki  Shrine Postmedieval?
Circualr shrine with at least 2 graves within. Built of mudbrick, 4.3m diameter, o.8m high, inside modern cemetery, S of village. Ref: 22/24