Observations on the graves of the medieval period in the SARS concession at the Fourth Cataract
Observations on the graves of the medieval period in the SARS concession at the Fourth Cataract

Author(s): Derek A. Welsby
Subject(s): Archaeology
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Fourth Cataract; funerary culture; tumulus; box grave; Kushite; Post- Meroitic; Christian
Summary/Abstract: Several large cemeteries of the medieval period were excavated either extensively or in their entirety by the missions of the Sudan Archaeological Research Society in its concession at the Fourth Cataract. The data collected allows an assessment of developments in funerary culture spanning from the pagan into, and throughout, the Christian period. It highlights the generally dramatic changes in burial practices between the Post-Meroitic and Christian periods alongside the similarities between some of the later Kushite and Christian graves. These changes and similarities are discussed in connection with the physical continuity of cemeteries which demonstrate a close link between Post-Meroitic and Christian burials, the former often forming a focus for the later burials and being respected by the later grave diggers.

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