Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia)
المصورات · Musawwarat N Terrace
Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)·Multi-period temple culture·🇸🇩 River Nile, Musawwarat es-Sufra, Sudan
About
About Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia)
Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia) in River Nile, Musawwarat es-Sufra, Sudan is a Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE) temple complex attributed to Multi-period temple culture. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document radiocarbon sequence. The site includes a principal citadel and workshop area. Dimensions temple 32 m × 18 m; court 45 m × 30 m; area 9.6 ha. Excavation excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Multi-period temple culture temple-complex with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 400 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to regional network
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 1500 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age to Classical (2000 BCE–500 CE)
- Culture
- Multi-period temple culture
- Purpose
- Temple and sanctuary complex
- Rediscovered
- 1884
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1500 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1041 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1900
Modern rediscovery and excavation
c. 1591 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
16.4200° N · 33.3200° E · 400 m · 3 mapped features
Main Temple Cella
cellaMain Temple Cella at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia) — cella with stratified deposits
16.4199° N · 33.3184° ENorth Court Ancillary
courtNorth Court Ancillary at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia) — court with stratified deposits
16.4183° N · 33.3200° EPylon Gate
pylonPylon Gate at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure North Terrace (Nubia) — pylon with stratified deposits
16.4215° N · 33.3222° E