Abasseya Project



SEASON 2018


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NINTH SEASON – SUMMARY





Start date: January 20th, 2018
Duration: 40 days



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Sector B – Abasseya

Archaeological work

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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. On the north side we have finished the delimitation of the perimeter according to the exhibition project but taking into account the distance to which the houses are located. In this area we have identified remains of the debris layer from the building, basically redbrick, mudbrick and ceramic sherds. Among the material found outstands the discovery of two column drums and a fragment of lintel made in sandstone. All these pieces have been numbered, measured and photographed in order to be added to the general register of the column pieces. Most of the recovered pottery is common ceramic from the Meroitic period corresponding to containers of very different sizes. Some have remains of decoration.



On the east side we have also continued working in the delimited perimeter according to the exhibition project, in addition to the debris layer, a burial (Ka6) has been found with similarities to those that appeared in Abasseya - sector A. Below the ancient street level, which is only cut by the presence of this burial, the geological level already appears.





On the southern side, the thickest one, we have continued working in the delimited perimeter according to the exhibition project and we have finished digging all the levels.

Basically it consists of a fill up layer of loose and clean sand, above the debris layer. The debris layer was most evident in the southeast area, near the monumental ramp. In this area, under the debris layer, the ancient street level associated with the use of temple has been identified. This level has been found cut out by a series of small holes with an undetermined function. Along with these holes we have found other larger holes, among which stand out one with a bottom covered in mudbrick and a nearby one filled with ashes.





In both cases we have not yet been able to determine neither the function that they would fulfill, nor their relation with the construction or use of the building. Restauration and exhibition work Regarding the tasks of restoration of the plaster of the podium, different types of interventions have been carried out, always bearing in mind that we were in the last archaeological season of the project. We have tried to reach 80% of the overall restoration intervention in all areas of the site, trying to ensure a stability of the structures and coatings in the medium term and leaving in consideration the remaining 20%, being this in a margin of "no urgency", ie , which does not pose a serious risk of deterioration in the near future.

Some of the works have considered the consolidation, both internal and external, and the almost entire reintegration of the plaster material in some of the walls (UE217, UE219 and UE142). Repairs were also made to the walls UE220, UE204, UE143, UE132 and UE218 where part of their faces had been deteriorated as a result of the weather action.

We have also worked on both ramps. In the west ramp the final layer has been reestablished side it presented some breakage. On the main ramp (East), on which work had begun in the last season, the final cap of mud was also reinstated.



In the side walls, which are built with sandstone blocks, a perimeter consolidation and restoration of material have been performed, when required



Protection work

As per the exhibition preparation tasks, the perimeter walls to protect the site have been built. The wall on the west side has been adapted as a storehouse to contain the pieces of sandstone recovered from the building: columns, lintels, cornices, etc.





All the pieces of sandstone have been placed inside this structure and covered with a layer of geotextile to avoid possible damages derived from the construction work.





Inside the building, the interior level of the rooms has been filled with sand and a final layer of stone of small size has been placed, giving uniformity to the whole. In addition, some of the walls were repaired to correct future problems.​





During this season, as per the planned scope of work, we have finished the construction of the surrounding wall in accordance to the exhibition proposal approved by the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums. In such way, the first phase of the Abasseya exhibition plan can be considered as finalized (see note below).

This first phase of the exhibition plan have consisted in the construction of a new site enclosure that not only protects the archaeological remains, but also allows its display to the visitors.





Until the exhibition conditioning phase is completely finished, the signpost indicating the project name has been temporally installed next to the entrance of the site enclosure.





Note


In order to consider completely finished the Abasseya project, a second phase of the exhibition conditioning should be performed. This will consist in improving the look of the enclosing wall of the site. Specifically, the current concrete wall will be coated on both faces, sealing completely the access into the storeroom where the sandstone column pieces have been kept. Also, it is pending the installation of explanatory panels, made of engraved metal that will be placed at the entrance of the site’s protection enclosure. It is expected to perform these tasks on the following months, as this is the last intervention season.


Materials


All the material found during the excavation of Sector B has been cleaned, identified and registered. 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) in metal boxes properly labeled.





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