Under the guidance of Dr. Stuart Tyson Smith, Mohamed Faroug Abdelrahman Ali will investigate the collapse and regeneration of the Meroitic state through archaeological research in Sudan. The Meroitic state was one of the earliest in Africa, flourishing between approximately 300 BC to AD 350 in the Middle Nile region of Sudan, at one time controlling the entire region from the Egyptian border to Khartoum. There has been considerable debate as to whether the collapse of central authority at Meroe was due to disruptions caused by tribal movements into the area, an invasion by the Ethiopian Axumite kingdom, or internal factionalism that caused the kingdom to split apart, resulting in different outcomes when new kingdoms emerged in the post-Meroitic period. Previous discussions have focused on historical texts and the capital at Meroe, but lack support from archaeological data in the rural areas where very limited or no excavation and survey have been conducted. This research project will reevaluate these models through concentration of fieldwork in these little known rural areas on the west bank and the east hinterland targeting Meroitic and post-Meroitic period settlements, fortresses and cemeteries. These results will be integrated with existing archaeological data in the core Meroe region to reassess the causes behind the decline and the regeneration of the Meroitic state.
This research contributes to larger anthropological and archaeological research questions regarding the collapse of archaic states. Studies of the collapse of states have resulted in a number of themes, starting with resource depletion, competition over new resources, stress from catastrophes and an insufficient response to social, economic and political challenges, along with competition with other societies and the effects of intruders. Collapse is never total or complete and regeneration results in the reappearance of social complexity (states, cities, etc.) after a period of decentralization. Non-elite resilience in rural areas plays a significant role in the reconstruction of complex societies. This archaeological investigation will assist in the study of changes in social identity of rural areas in the ancient African Meroitic state and how locals developed autonomy, and regenerated one or multiple post-Meroitic polities in the middle of the 4th century AD.
This study has broader impacts through its application of archaeological and anthropological approaches to Sudanese archaeological research, a discipline that has traditionally lacked a theoretical perspective. In particular, the project can have important influence on the conduct of Sudanese archaeology by introducing anthropological methods and theories to native Sudanese archaeologists Undergraduate and graduate students from UCSB will be involved in the analysis of materials brought back to UCSB for study, promoting a better understanding of archaic states in sub-Sahara Africa. Additionally, the proposed dams and expansion of agriculture in the study area at the 5th and 6th cataracts of the Nile will have a serious impact on archaeological sites in the region, lending the project some urgency.
This project investigates the collapse and regeneration of the Meroitic state 300 BC to AD 350 in Sudan. The research took place in Meroe region on the west bank of the Nile and eastern hinterland on the opposite side of the river in order to investigate the local cultures and to what extent they were integrated in the Meroitic sociopolitical system, allowing for an exploration of how the organization of the Meroitic kingdom affected its collapse and the subsequent formation of complex polities. Archaeological evidence from the forts and caravansaries on the west bank suggest their use during Meroitic, post Meroitic and Christian era. Together with the Meroitic sherds observed by crowfoot (1911), more archaeological evidence for a Meroitic occupation was uncovered in the use of Meroitic style fired bricks in all the structures. Archaeological survey and test excavation also documented the lack of Meroitic burials and absence of contemporary settlements, followed in the post Meroitic period by a substantial increase in cemeteries that probably indicates population growth. After the collapse, new structures were added in these caravansaries, probably to enhance their function by helping to regulate the sudden increase in population, but also to control and maintain the exchange system with the south, which could have helped in the formation of more local autonomy. Local leaders adapted and extended the political and economic infrastructure from the previous Meroitic state, a process that continued from the post-Meroitic period into the early Christian period. At the same time, archaeological evidence suggests that they created a new, distinctive cultural identity, seen in departures from Meroitic practice and the contrast of mortuary practices between the west and east bank (plate1&2). On the eastern hinterland, three nomadic camps were tested archaeologically at Basa. Site 5 represents a short occupation site situated immediately north of the main Hafir (an artificial reservoir for storing water). This type of camp is characterized by a small number of stone structures, a few scattered upper grinding stones and undiagnosed hand made pottery sherds scattered over a large area. Site 8 is a seasonal camp located 3.2 km north east from the main Hafir. It also had stone features with domestic artifacts indicating habitation, including grinders, stone tools and relatively few hand made pottery sherds. The site was intensively used from the Meroitic to Islamic period as indicated by diagnostic artifacts, as well as a large number and intercutting of post holes (plate3). Burials associated with this site were tested and identified as a combination of Meroitic cairn graves, Christian and Islamic tombs. Site 9 is located southeast of the main Hafir and the test excavation revealed a permanent stone and fired bricks structures associated with a camping area to the north, the last is consists of postholes, small stone features and pottery sherds. The division of labour and the possible agricultural activity in the wadi attribute the site to a semi- sedentary category. Tomb T.2 is similar to post Meroitic burials from the east bank of the river Nile (plate4). The presence of this characteristic burial type indicates the maintenance or creation of cultural ties between the river and the eastern hinterland after the decline of the Meroitic state. An imported oil bottle type from Egypt found in burial T.1 also attests the integration of the region into a wide ranging exchange system. Alaim site is situated about 12km east of Meroe and consists of a temple, two main structures, large Hafir and a well. The temple was identified previously and mistakenly as an Apedemak temple. However, the test excavations in these structures and the temple indicate that the temple is a different type of sacred structure. It consists of an east-west flight of steps leading to a two meter high platform that would have been open to the sky. There are more than a hundred stone pavement structures built 20 meters west of the temple intentionally for the performance of rituals by pilgrims (plate5&6). In contrast to the west bank, the Meroitic state established much stronger sociopolitical, economic and ideological structures in the eastern hinterland. After the collapse, this existing infrastructure helped promote cultural continuity in the region, with evidence for cultural ties and economic exchange providing significant evidence of support and participation in a new political entity on the east bank between Meroe and Dangail. Staff members and students from Sudanese institutions, including the National Corporation of the Antiquities and Museums "NCAM", El Nailleen University and Shendi University were involved in this project and gain experience on theoretical perspectives and application of anthropological methods and theories. Part of the collection is studied and stored in NCAM while the other part is brought to US where graduate and under graduate students from UCSB will be involved in the analysis of this material.
