Suakin — Coral Port City
Medieval to Ottoman (12th–20th c CE)·Beja–Ottoman Swahili-type coral city·🇸🇩 Red Sea State, Sudan
About
About Suakin — Coral Port City
Suakin — Coral Port City in Red Sea State, Sudan is a Medieval to Ottoman (12th–20th c CE) ancient-city attributed to Beja–Ottoman Swahili-type coral city. Ruined coral port island 700 × 400 m with Ottoman mosques and Beja house doors. Greenlaw: Suakin coral city with 1920s 3500 population, now abandoned, 230 coral houses.
Why it mattersImportant Beja–Ottoman Swahili-type coral city site of coastal/hinterland Red Sea State
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network evidence
- 02Construction chronology
Theories
- 01Long-distance exchange
- 02Kayas sacred landscape
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. 12th c CE
- Period
- Medieval to Ottoman (12th–20th c CE)
- Culture
- Beja–Ottoman Swahili-type coral city
- Purpose
- Ruined coral port island 700 × 400 m with Ottoman mosques and Beja house doors
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 12th c CE
Initial construction
c. 1920 CE
Antiquarian survey
On the ground
Structures & features
19.1200° N · 37.3200° E · 2 m · 3 mapped features
Suakin — Coral Port City — Central Plaza
plazaPlaza
19.1202° N · 37.3201° ESuakin — Coral Port City — Stone House Cluster
houseHouses
19.1198° N · 37.3202° ESuakin — Coral Port City — Enclosure Wall
wallEnclosure
19.1204° N · 37.3198° E