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Sector B – Abasseya

Archaeological work

In sector B a first cleaning of the area was carried out. The excavation was focused on the outer perimeter of the building. According to the exhibition project we needed to clean the area surrounding the building of Abasseya B. In the north side we have delimited the perimeter according to the exhibition project but taking into account the distance to the modern houses. In this way we have extended the sector 5 meters from the wall of the podium. In this area we have identified remnants of the debris level related to the building, basically redbrick, mudbrick and ceramic sherds. Some fragmented pieces have been recovered. Most of the pottery is common ceramic from the Meroitic period corresponding to containers of different sizes. Some of them have decoration remains. Among the materials found outstands the discovery of a container made of sandstone.

In the west side we have also delimited the perimeter according to the exhibition plan, which is 6 meters from the first step of the west entrance. Besides of the debris level, we have found two circular structures built on the ancient street level linked to the presence of the temple. These structures are on either side of the secondary ramp and are associated with ash layers.

Numerous fragments of ceramic have also been found at the documented levels, most of them corresponding to containers of different sizes. Below the ancient street level appears the geological level. In the east side we have only partially removed the accumulation of sand from previous seasons with the intention of having delimited the definitive perimeter of sector B sitting at 6 meters from the first step of the main entrance. However, we have not removed the current fence of the field, yet.

On the south side, the thickest one, we have delimited the perimeter according to the exhibition project and we have begun to excavate the upper levels. In this way we have extended the sector to 7 meters from the wall of the podium. Basically, it consists of a layer of fill up loose sand with little material, although at its lower level it began to appear a debris layer. It is in this level where, in the previous campaign, two column drums and two fragments of the façade, all made in sandstone, were located. The drums have been numbered (pieces 66 and 67) and measured according to the criteria applied to the column pieces found in previous seasons. Also, the façade fragments have been numbered and transferred to the southeast corner of the sector where are kept the numerous fragments of façade and door lintels as well as other special pieces (shaped bricks) found during the along all excavation seasons. All these pieces have been numbered, measured and photographed with the intention of making a particular file in the same way it was done for the pieces of column.

Inside the podium, the interior level of the northern access room has been lowered, depleting the stratigraphic levels. We have exposed the interior foundation bench.

Finally, we have excavated the main access ramp, which has exposed its constructive form. The outer wall is made of large blocks of sandstone, which is attached to a partially preserved mudbrick wall. Among the layers documented there is a first layer of debris from the building, which disrupts into the original fill up layer formed by compacted sand with ceramic fragments and stones of small size. Some of the ceramic remains are almost complete. Below the fill up layer a compacted level has been identified, similar to the one found in the inner level of all the podium chambers, under which it appears the geological level.

Restoration and exhibition work

As for the restoration tasks of the podium, different types of interventions have been performed. On one hand, the consolidation of the podium plaster has continued, reinforcing the bonding edge between the plaster layer and the preserved wall (bevel) or repairing visible gaps, cracks or fissures in some of the walls. On the other hand, we have begun with the cleaning of the stucco of the north and south walls.

The main ramp has been filled with sand on which a mudbrick layer has been set. The side mudbrick walls have also been restored. According to the guidelines of the previous campaigns we have lowered the levels, cleaned the top and placed a green network between the old level and the modern level which is consequence of the restoration.

As for the works of pre-exhibition we have completed the restoration of the inner walls of the podium, creating a uniform closure along the preserved walls, just as it was done in the perimeter wall of the podium.

We have also worked on both ramps. In the west ramp one of the steps has been reintegrated and the contours of the mudbrick support wall have been cleaned.

We concluded in this campaign with the preparation for exhibition of the building itself, with the exception of the final finish for the main access ramp.

Materials

All material found during excavation of the sectors B have been cleaned, identified and inventoried. The most significant pieces have been drawn and photographed. All material found during this campaign has been stored with the material of the previous campaigns in the Barkal Museum (Karima).