TOMBOS    (site code TMB)

Tombos is a small village on the east bank  close to the southern border of the Mahas. Its north side is marked by granite outcrops, quarried in antiquity. Lying at the southern end of the Third Cataract, there are two large islands: Gezira Tombos and Dabaki.

TMB001 (91/6)          19°42.712 30°23.67
Tombos Ogjinondi     Quarry - Pharaonic & Kushite
The granite quarries at the NE end of Tombos village were recorded first in the early 19th Century. An abandoned statue, known locally as ‘Ogjinondi’, probably dating to the XXV Dynasty is the most prominent feature of the site and still attracts many local visitors.  The village now adjoins the quarry, but poses no immediate threat.
Ref: Harrell 1999.

TMB002 (91/5)          c.19°42.2/30°24.5
Tombos Doromar - Cemetery  - Islamic
At the SE end of Tombos village, bounded on the S side by a new irrigation canal.  A number of large collective tombs are partially exposed in an area covering c.100 x 50m.  Probably an Islamic cemetery.  A few abraded sherds and lithics were also noted in the vicinity.

TMB003 (91/7)          19°42.653 30°23.625
Tombos             Inscriptions  - Pharaonic
New Kingdom inscriptions/graffiti.  8 different inscriptions on granite boulders have been recorded, identified as drawings a-h, close to the river at the N end of Tombos village.
a) small inscription of Viceroy Mermosi (Amenhotep III) on the N face of a large boulder.
b) large inscription on sloping face of fallen boulder, originally facing W.
c) small poorly preserved inscription facing E.
d) minor graffiti of Mermosi on small rock just NW of the above.
e) Inscription of Tuthmosis I, c.400m to N of (a-d), c.50 m. from river bank. (19°42.68/30°23.418)
f-g) 2 adjacent inscriptions of Tuthmosis I, c.200m to N of (e), 75m from river. (19°42.71/30°23.342)
h) inscription of Tuthmosis I on S facing boulder, c.50m from river. (19°42.711/30°23.324)
Refs: Lepsius 1913, Dk.V:244; Breasted 1908:47, fig 48;

TMB004 (91/8)          c.19°42.8/30°23.5
Tombos N     Occupation -  Prehistoric?
In rocks immediately above inscriptions TMB003(f-g), thin scatters of sherds and some lithic material, of uncertain date, probably representing small camp site(s).

TMB005 (91/25)    
Tombos NE     Cemetery - Pharaonic
A small cemetery on the NE side of Tombos quarry area is marked by extensive sherd spreads and disturbance from robbing.  At least 10 tomb locations identifiable, but no exposed superstructures.  One grave was examined and can be dated to the later XVIII Dynasty. Surface sherds also indicate a Late Period/Napatan presence, especially towards SE side of site, probably derived from TMB006.  Refs: Arkell 1950: 35; Edwards & Osman 2001.
  see TMB005
Excavations at the site, 2000

TMB006 (91/118)   
Tombos NE -  Cemetery -  Napatan/Pharaonic?
Situated on the SE side of the cemetery TMB005, a large cluster of stone rings/structures.  There were very few surface sherds amongst these structures but predominantly Late/Napatan material lying on its NW side may be associated.  Recent work suggests this is a cemetery.

TMB007 (91/116)    
Tombos NE - Occupation - pre-Kerma
In open ground, dotted with a few granite outcrops on the desert fringe E of Tombos, thin surface scatters of sherds were noted.  The most diagnostic material included a number of Pre-Kerma sherds while others may be of Kerma types.

TMB008 (91/12)         c.19°42.2/30°23.3
Diffi  Fortified Settlement - Medieval/Islamic
A massive mudbrick fortified complex at the SW corner of the island.  A number of building phases can be recognized in the structure, which in its final phase measured some 125m N-S and 45m WE. The original core appears to have been a much smaller enclosure in the NW corner, probably dating to the medieval period, subsequently much modified.  The southern extension is clearly of quite late date and is constructed with the typically large mudbricks often used in the Islamic period.  This diffi is one of the largest Islamic sites of this kind so far encountered in the region.  Much of the S end of the enclosure now forms a garden, but there appear to be no immediate threats to the massive structures in the N end. Refs: Waddington & Hanbury 1822: 38.

TMB009 (91/22)         19°42.2/30°23.44
Tombolintod  Tomb- Islamic
Within the primary courtyard of the Diffi lies the grave of Sheikh Tombol within a small open enclosure, traditionally dated to the 19th Century. This structure is built mainly of redbricks of a variety of sizes, up to 50cm long.  The tomb is still venerated and is surrounded by a number of ceramic and metal pots and incense burners.

TMB010 (91/13)     19°42.629/30°23.201
Gezira Tombos NE, Inscription -  Pharaonic
Located near the NE corner of the island on a N facing rock, close to the river channel dividing Gezira Tombos from Dabaki.  A previously unrecorded Pharaonic graffito, measuring 40 x 26cm.

TMB011 (91/16)      19°42.47/30°23.42
Gezira Tombos, Rock Drawings
A small number of rock drawings among rock outcrops on the E side of the island, close to the modern cemetery area.  2 (now 4) stations were identified:
a) a single indeterminate animal with a circle above its 'head', on a W facing block.
b) A group of 4-5 cattle on a S facing rock, c.40 m SE of station (a).

TMB012 (91/17)     19°42.455/30°23.511
Barshambo - Inscription - Pharaonic
Close beside the grave of Sheikh Barshambo (TMB013) is the Tuthmosid inscription of Ini, cut into the NW face of a small boulder.  The inscription appears not to have been further eroded since photographed by Breasted. Refs: Save-Soderbergh 1941: 207-9, Ab.16; Breasted 1908: 47-8.

TMB013 (91/18)        19°42.444/30°23.518
Sheikh Barshambo - Tomb - Islamic
Located near the S end of a rock outcrop on the east-central area of the island.  A small grave/shrine outlined in stone, reputedly that of Sheikh Barshambo.

TMB014 (91/19)        c.19°42.3/30°23.4
Gezira Tombos -Occupation - Medieval
An extensive area near the centre of the island between the 2 modern hamlets is now occupied by the Islamic cemetery.  Dense scatters of medieval sherds throughout this open land and among rock outcrops to the E indicate the presence of a medieval Christian settlement in the vicinity, although no structural remains were identified.
 
TMB015 (91/15)         19°42.75/30°23
Gezira Dabaki - Quarries - Pharaonic
Near the S end of Dabaki island are a number of substantial granite outcrops and loose boulders.  Several exposed quarried faces were noted, worked in the same way as those in the main Tombos quarries (TMB001) and perhaps of similar date.

TMB016 (91/14)        19°42.935/30°22.72
 Gezira Dabaki, Fort & Church, Pharaonic? - Medieval-Islamic
Near the N end of the island on a prominent rock outcrop overlooking the river are the denuded remains of a massively built mudbrick enclosure, measuring c.75 x 35m, aligned approximately E-W.  Built on a very irregular surface parts of the walls have substantial stone foundations while other parts were built directly onto granite boulders.  Large areas of brickwork survive in the western corner towers and in the SE quadrant where walls over 3.5m thick survive, more than 4m high in places. Large bricks were used measuring c.39 x 20 x 11cm.  Within the enclosure, the only surviving structure is a small mudbrick church measuring 16.5 x 10.3m, with walls standing up to 2m high, constructed on a substantial mudbrick platform.
While most of the surface sherds appear to be of medieval or more recent date, dating the main fortified enclosure remains problematic.  A number of Pharaonic, probably New Kingdom sherds were found, together with Napatan and perhaps post-Meroitic material .  The very poor preservation of most of the massive enclosure walls is unusual among medieval structures in this region, which tend to survive very well.  In view of this a Pharaonic date for the (uncompleted?) fortification cannot be excluded. Local traditions also suggest that the site was used by the Ansar during the Mahdiyya.

TMB017 (91/20)        19°43.022/30°22.68
Gezira Dabaki N - Cemetery - Islamic?
N of the fort, in an open area  along the NE side of the island, a number of very low mounds and a single larger stone covered mound, marks a small cemetery site including the graves of Sheikh Nyummu and Sheikh Diyaab. 

TMB018 (91/21)     19°42.994/30°22.707
Gezira Dabaki N - Matmura silos - Islamic
Immediately NE of the fort, a number of circular pits, cut into the silt banks were identified, some still partially exposed.  Local information suggests these were 19th Century matmura grain storage pits, deliberately placed in this isolated location for the sake of security.

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