Taajaab (Tagab) forms a large thinly populated sheikhdom, with relatively
few, and small settlements in modern times. The southernmost hamlet, Kabaaja
seems to have been a relatively recent foundation, established by people originating
on the island of Musul. The village of Fogo was reputedly settled from
the seasonal island of AbDireewa just to the south. It is dominated
by the large hill of Jebel Ali Barsi, named after the early 19th century
‘bandit’. Oral traditions record that Taajaab village was originally
settled by migrants from al-Tur’a, near Kokke. North of the Taajaab the area
is largely uninhabited for some 10km as far downstream as Marakol, although
there are some small areas of cultivation which have been established by
farmers from neighbouring areas, including from across the river. Fagirinfenti,
at the north end of this area, where the river turns to flow east, marks
the point where the route along the west bank heading north may leave the
river, continuing directly north towards Soleb, rather than negotiating the
rocky and broken land along the river.
TJB001
Tahainirki Cemetery – Medieval/Islamic?
A large cemetery site close to the river N of Kabaja village, beside
the 'lower' lorry track. (Ref: 90/11)
TJB002
Tahainirki Occupation -- Prehistoric
An extensive site running along the S bank of the khor Taha'nirki,
W of the 'lower' lorry track. Surface material comprises scatters of
lithics concentrated around 2 rock outcrops at its E end. No pottery
was recorded. (Ref: 90/12)
TJB003
Tahainirki Diffi/Granary -- Islamic
An isolated structure measuring c.22m square, built of rough stone and jalus.
The site is known locally to have been a granary (Nobiin: Shoona) and probably
dates to the 18th-19th Century. Numerous quernstone fragments were noted in
and around the structure. There is a small group of rock drawings, including
one of an elephant close to the structure. (Refs: 90/13, topo2-1/8-169)
TJB004
Shoonan Diffi Diffi/Granary -- Islamic
A well-preserved jalus structure situated within the cultivation area c.80m
from the river. The building measures 16 x 15m with a small tower built
on its NW corner. The walls are built in a distinctive fashion with
2 separate faces. Locally informants identify the structure as a granary.
(Refs: 90/14; 2-1/8-171
TJB005
Kisseenfarki Fortified site Medieval-Postmedieval
A large fortified site on the bank of the river, on the north side of khor
Kisseenfarki. The primary structure is a massive rectangular mudbrick enclosure
with corner towers, measuring c.18m (N-S) x 20m (E-W). Several building
phases are apparent. The original structure was built largely in mudbrick,
probably with a subcircular tower in the SW corner and another, perhaps guarding
a gateway, in the centre of the north wall. Latterly, the structure
was substantially rebuilt and repaired, with the addition of rectangular mudbrick
towers, on stone foundations in the NW and SW corners. Small towers
in the centre of the S and W walls may also be later additions. In
probably a rather kater phase a massive stone and jalus tower was constructed
at the SE corner of the and a large enclosure (c.25m N-S x <26m E-W) was
added on its east side extending towards the river bank. The primary structure
seems likely to date to the later medieval period. Surface material includes
sherds from the Post-Classic and later phases. The later stone and jalus additions
probably date to the 18th century and possibly early 19th century. In local
tradition the site is associated with a local ‘bandit’ chief Ali Barsi. Linant
recorded that Ali Barsi was killed sometime in the early 19th century, apparently
not long before the Egyptian invasion of Sudan in 1820. Refs: Linant 1958:182;
(Ref: 90/15=90/MH7a) Ref: Sudan Survey Map NE-36-A "Ruins".
TJB006
Kisseenfarki Village/Church? Medieval
A large site in open land west of TJB005. A poorly-preserved enclosure wall
surrounds the site, c.45m N-S and 100m E-W; the E end has been lost. The
line of an internal cross-wall is preserved c.45m from the W end. In the centre
of the western part of the site are partially upstanding remains of a substantial
mudbrick structure with a number of vaults and arches still intact, possibly
a church. The best preserved structures are built in mudbrick, but
the presence of much redbrick rubble across the site indicates the presence
of at least one redbrick building, since robbed out. Surface sherds include
9th-11th century ‘Classic Christian’ and later wares. (Ref: 90/16)
TJB007
Kisseenfarki Cemetery
An extensive area to the north of TJB006 shows some disturbance and is covered
with a thin scatter of medieval sherds. This may be a cemetery but confirmation
is required. (Refs: 90/17 = 90/MH7c)
TJB008
Kisseenfarki-Klaatin Occupation Medieval
A small and poorly defined site close to the river bank in an area of sand
and halfa grass. The surface remains are limited to a sherd scatter of ‘7th-8th
century ‘Early Christian’’ material (Ware R5) as well as probable ‘Mid-9th-11th
century ‘Classic Christian’’ sherds (Ware W10). Further testing is required.
(90/18)
TJB009
Fogo Occupation pre-Kerma/Kerma
An extensive Kerma occupation site on the SE side of Jebel Ali Barsi on
the W side of Fogo village. Dense scatters of sherds, lithics and clusters
of stones including pre-Kerma and Early Kerma material. This potentially
very important site is seriously threatened by the westward expansion of Fogo
village and further work here is urgently required. (90/19)
TJB010
Fogo Enclosures
?
A group of four rectangular stone enclosures close to the river bank, on
the N side Fogo village. The low walls are of rough dry-stone construction
and enclose an area of c.6500m2 in total. These may be enclosures for
caravans passing through the area. (90/22)
TJB011
Fogo Cemetery Medieval/Islamic?
A small cemetery area just N of Fogo village close to site TJB012.
It covers c.5000m2 and is well preserved. Many of the graves are of
Islamic date a number of medieval sherds were also noted, including 7th-8th
century ‘Early Christian’ and 9th-11th century ‘Classic Christian’ wares.
(90/21)
TJB012
Fogo-Siiwa Cemetery post-Meroitic
A small cemetery with 5 well-preserved tumuli, in open ground N of Fogo
Village. The low tumuli measure 10-15m in diameter and their sides
are covered with small stones. Most appear to have been disturbed,
although not recently. A small number of surface sherds include possible
northern "late X-Group" wares, probably 6th century. It was unclear
whether there are further unmarked graves surrounding the tumuli. (90/20)
TJB013
Fogo North Settlement Medieval
A small settlement with some standing ruins on the banks of the river amongst
rocky outcrops N of Fogo. The site has been disturbed in recent years
by a new vehicle track running across it. Surface pottery includes 10th-11th
century ‘Classic’, 12th century ‘PostClassic’ and ‘12th-14th century ‘Late
Christian’ wares. (Ref: 90/23)
TJB014
Fogo North Graves - Medieval A small
cemetery just N of the medieval settlement TJB013, in a small open area bounded
by rocks, close to the river. Surface sherds include possible 7th-8th
century ‘Early Christian’ wares. (Ref: 90/24)
TJB015
Toona Habitation
- Medieval
An isolated medieval house on the river bank in an area of rock outcrops.
The building measures c.10 x 5m and stands up to 2.25m high. This was
probably a two storey building. Little of the mudbrick upper levels
survive, but the barrel-vaulted ceilings of the six lower rooms (measuring
c.2.5 x 3m) are well-preserved. (Ref: 90/25)
TJB016
Ortoodi Cemetery
?
An ancient cemetery has been reported within the courtyard of Taajaab Elementary
School. The graves included a number of infant burials, interred inside
pots. Further work is required to determine the date and nature of this
site. (Ref: 90/26)
TJB017
Satai Habitation Islamic?
Two well-preserved buildings just to the S of Jebel Satai. The 2 adjoining
structures, one built in jalus mud and the other in rough stone, measure 15
x 12m. (90/27)
TJB018
Satai Occupation Prehistoric
An extensive occupation site with a surface spread of lithic material extending
over c.600m N-S. The site lies on raised ground within a large
wadi to the W of site TJB017; some parts have been disturbed by vehicle tracks.
(90/28)
TJB019
Satai Rock Drawings
& Occ
A small group of rock drawings at the SE end of Jebel Satai, on SE facing
boulders. The drawings are mainly of cattle. Some sherd scatters
were also noted in the vicinity which included incised Neolithic material.
(90/29)
TJB020
Satai Occupation
Medieval
An extensive spread of medieval Christian sherds spread over c.300m of the
river bank, N of Jebel Satai and S of Khor Satai. No building remains
are visible but surface material suggests the presence of pottery kilns. Many
of the sherds are of coarse utility wares including qadus, but some decorated
9th-11th century ‘Classic Christian’ wares were noted (e.g. Ware W5 "Ghazali"
type). (90/30)
TJB021
Fagirinfenti Cemetery Medieval
On the S side of the settlement is a small cemetery covering c.100 x 25m.
A number of individual graves visible, marked by low gravel mounds, aligned
E-W. A small quantity of medieval Christian sherds was found, most from
small fine vessels of 9th-11th century ‘Classic’ (e.g. Ware W5) and 12th
century ‘PostClassic’ wares. (Ref: 90/34; Mohammed 1978: 64).
TJB022
Fagirinfenti Saqia pit
Postmedieval?
Just to the S of site TJB023 is a saqia well. The pit is quite well
preserved. Its date remains uncertain, but it is possibly of late medieval
date. (Ref: 90/33)
TJB023
Fagirinfenti Settlement Medieval
A cluster of ruined mudbrick buildings and stone enclosure walls, close
to the edge of the river, marking the site of a small medieval settlement,
including the ruins of a mudbrick church measuring c.14.2 x 7.4m. Some
standing mudbrick walls relating to a cluster of buildings survive to the
east of the church. Surface sherds include 9th-11th century ‘Classic’,
12th century ‘PostClassic’ and 12th-14th century ‘Late Christian’’ wares.
An inscribed ceramic stamp (Appendix ..) is reputed to come from the site.
The site is now being encroached upon by cultivation and its margins are
now being eroded. (Ref: 90/32; Mohammed 1978: 62-3, 66)
TJB024
Fagirinfenti Castle-house Medieval
This is a substantial two-storey medieval building, measuring c.18 x 16.4m.
Constructed with rough stone foundations and a mudbrick superstructure, this
is an example of a large late medieval ‘castle-house’ (Adams 1994).
The stone foundations stand c.1.3m high and the maximum surviving height of
the building is 4.3m. Several well-preserved barrel vaults survive within
the internal rooms at ground floor level, covering perhaps 12 blind cellars
of the type which typify this type of building. In the S wall, a wide
entrance leads onto a rough stone feature which runs south and then towards
the other buildings (TJB023). This comprises broad stone foundations, c3m
wide, which seem to have supported mudbrick walls, giving the appearance,
at least, of forming a long passage linking the two parts of the site.
This feature then turned west, on narrower (c.1.5m) foundations. The
size of this building, larger than any other known castle-houses, is notable.
(Ref: 90/31; Linant 1958: 183, Mohammed 1978:61-2, Sudan Survey Map
NE-36-A "Ancient Ruins")
TJB025
Olow Enclosure Medieval?
An irregular rough stone enclosure located on a rocky outcrop to the E of
TJB024. The site commands good views both southwards, upriver, as well
as to downriver to the east.
TJB 026
Kisseenfarki Shrine Postmedieval
Mudbrick shrine at NE edge of TJB 006. Subrectangular structure, measuring
c.5 x 6m with mihrab at east end.
TJB027
Fogonarti Diffi
Rectangular Diffi on SE side of Fogonarti island (also known as Shimeyyanarti).
Walls built of mud stone and mudbrick and originally with 4 mudbrick towers
of which 3 survive. Some parts of walls relatively well-preserved with
stone foundations, supporting mud and mudbrick upper levels. Local traditions
associate this diffi with ‘the son of a king of Dongola’ who settled there
with a woman from Simit and was killed by Ali Barsi. (Ref: topo2/1/8/174)
TJB028 19°52.97/30°18.26
Ortoodi Cemetery & shrine
Square mudbrick shrine of Sheikh Osman al-Wali in Islamic cemetery
TJB029 19°56.443/30°17.689
Fagirinfenti Shrine
Rectangular shrine of rough stone, associated with Faqir Komaaski, or Kamaaski.
The name Komaaski is also associated with a shrine on the west side of Sugdan
island.