Uronarti: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
HannahG1701 (talk | contribs) Undid revision 1259030362 by NXcrypto (talk) |
||
| (47 intermediate revisions by 33 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Archaeological site in Northern State, Egypt}} |
|||
'''Uronarti''' was an [[ancient Egyptian]] settlement located on an island in the Nile above (to the South of) the [[Cataracts of the Nile|Second Cataract]]. It is well known for its triangular-shaped [[fortress]], constructed between the reigns of Middle Kingdom rulers [[Senusret I]] and [[Senusret III]], in the nineteenth century BC. The site was one of several established in [[Nubia]] during this period as Egyptians sought to expand their influence to the south. |
|||
{{Infobox ancient site |
|||
|name = Uronarti |
|||
|native_name = |
|||
|alternate_name = |
|||
|image = Bestock and Knoblauch Final Figure 2.jpg |
|||
|alt = |
|||
|caption = Uronarti. |
|||
|map_type = Sudan |
|||
|map_alt = |
|||
|coordinates = {{coord|21|31|33|N|30|59|25|E|display=inline,title}} |
|||
|location = [[Northern state, Sudan|Northern]], Sudan |
|||
|region = [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] |
|||
|type = Fortress |
|||
|part_of = |
|||
|length = |
|||
|width = |
|||
|area = |
|||
|height = |
|||
|builder = |
|||
|material = |
|||
|built = |
|||
|abandoned = |
|||
|epochs = |
|||
|cultures = |
|||
|dependency_of = |
|||
|occupants = |
|||
|event = |
|||
|excavations = |
|||
|archaeologists = |
|||
|condition = |
|||
|ownership = |
|||
|management = |
|||
|public_access = |
|||
|website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> |
|||
|notes = |
|||
}} |
|||
'''Uronarti''' is an island and archaeological site in the [[Nile]] just south of the [[Cataracts of the Nile|Second Cataract]] in the north of [[Sudan]]. The site features a massive ancient fortress that still stands on its northern end. This fortress is one of many constructed along the Nile in Lower Nubia during the [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]], beginning under the reign of [[Senusret I]]. |
|||
It is documented that Senusret III conducted four military campaigns into [[Kingdom of Kush|Kush]] and established a line of forts within signalling distance of one another; [[Buhen]] being the northernmost and the others along the banks of the [[Nile]] were [[Mirgissa]], [[Shalfak]], Uronarti, [[Askut]], [[Dabenarti]], [[Semna (Nubia) |Semna]], and [[Kumma (Nubia)|Kumma]]. The Kushites captured Buhen during the [[Thirteenth dynasty of Egypt|13th dynasty]], and held it until [[Ahmose I]] recaptured it at the beginning of the [[Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt|18th dynasty]]. It was stormed and recaptured by indigenous forces at the end of Egypt's [[Twentieth dynasty of Egypt|20th dynasty]]. |
|||
This site was thought to be submerged under [[Lake Nasser]], however parts remain above water and recently seen the establishment of new archaeological projects.<ref name=":2">[https://sites.brown.edu/urap/ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project]</ref> The discoveries of the project include an extramural settlement contemporary with the fortress, called Site FC, and further details on the settlement itself.<ref name=":2" /> |
|||
The triangular shaped fortress located on an island took advantage of the narrow passage of the Nile between the walls of a canyon. Amongst the series of protective fortresses, Uronarti was the second only to Askut as the smallest. Its fortifications included [[bastion]]s, [[buttress]]es, [[Defensive wall|rampart]]s, [[battlement]]s, and [[loophole]]s. The walls of the fort were about five metres thick and ten metres high, with a length of approximately 120 metres and width of 60 metres. The literature speculates that the imposing fortresses constructed during this period exceeded the military requirement and may be considered a form of [[monumental architecture]] in the manner of the [[Giza]] [[pyramids]] or temple of [[Karnak]]. |
|||
== Archaeological Research == |
|||
The fortress was excavated by [[George Reisner]] and the site has not been submerged by [[Lake Nasser]] created by the [[Aswan Dam]] in 1964. |
|||
[[Egyptian temple|Temples]] dedicated to [[Dedwen]] and [[Montu]] were located near the site. |
|||
Uronarti has been researched for over 100 years.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Welsby |first=Derek |date=2004 |title=Hidden Treasures of Lake Nubia |journal=Sudan and Nubia |volume=8 |pages=103–4}}</ref> Uronarti was first excavated by British archaeologist Noel F. Wheeler under the nominal supervision of [[George Andrew Reisner]] in 1924. <ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Dunham |first=Dows |title=Second Cataract Forts II: Uronarti, Shalfak, Mirgissa |publisher=Boston Museum of Fine Arts |year=1967}}</ref> The results of these excavations were published by [[Dows Dunham]].<ref name=":1" /> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
After the [[Aswan Dam|Aswan High Dam]] was built, it believed that this site was submerged under [[Lake Nasser|Lake Nasser.]] Recently, the fortress was recently rediscovered by Derek Welsby.<ref name=":3" /> In 2012, the Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project (URAP) was formed by Dr Laurel Bestock and Dr Christian Knoblauch to investigate Uronarti.<ref name=":2">[https://sites.brown.edu/urap/ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project]</ref> The project, which is ongoing, focuses on colonial relations and the lived experience of ancient people on Uronarti and in the surrounding region. <ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Knoblauch |first1=Christian |last2=Bestock |first2=Laurel |date=2017 |title=Evolving Communities: the Egyptian fortress on Uronarti in the Late Middle Kingdom |journal=Sudan and Nubia |volume=21 |pages=50–8}}</ref> |
|||
Reisner, George A. and Noel F. Wheeler. Second Cataract Forts. Volume II: Uronarti,Shalfak, Mirgissa: Excavated by George Andrew Reisner and Noel F. Wheeler - Boston, Museum of Fine Arts, 1967 |
|||
== The Fortress == |
|||
The triangular shaped fortress of Uronarti is situated high on a rocky island, where it took advantage of the narrow passage of the Nile River in an area with the modern name [[Batn-El-Hajar]] - the Belly of Rocks.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Bestock |first1=Laurel |last2=Knoblauch |first2=Christian |date=April 2015 |title=Living Beyond the Walls: new evidence for Egyptian Colonialism at Uronarti, Nubia |url=http://journal.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/bestock344 |website=Antiquity}}</ref> Conforming closely to the topography, the fort is an example of the [[Terrain type]] of Middle Kingdom forts. It was largely constructed of sun-dried mud brick.<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal |last1=Knoblauch |first1=Christian |last2=Bestock |first2=Laurel |date=2013 |title=The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey |journal=Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo |volume=69 |pages=103–42}}</ref> |
|||
The initial mapping of Uronarti was completed by Dows Dunham.<ref name=":1" /> The interior of the fortress has streets paved with stone.<ref name=":1" /> Sections of the fort include large granaries, buildings thought to be an administrative center, a governor's house, and barracks.<ref name=":22">[https://sites.brown.edu/urap/ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project]</ref><ref name=":1" /> The barracks are similar in plan to small houses known at other Middle Kingdom settlements that were planned by the state<ref name=":02" /> Many of the buildings inside the fortress saw substantial modifications over time, indicating shifts in both social life and administration.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Knoblauch |first1=Christian |last2=Bestock |first2=Laurel |date=2017 |title=Evolving Communities: the Egyptian fortress on Uronarti in the Late Middle Kingdom |journal=Sudan and Nubia |volume=21 |pages=50–8}}</ref> The ceramics from dumps at Uronarti suggest an occupation history into the very late Middle Kingdom or very early Second Intermediate Period, but not beyond.<ref name=":02" /> |
|||
Smith, Stuart T. [http://www2.ulg.ac.be/archgrec/IMG/aegeum/Aegaeum5(pdf)/Smith.pdf Administration at the Egyptian Middle Kingdom Frontier: Sealings from Uronarti and Askut] |
|||
Aside from the architecture itself, the overwhelming majority of archaeological finds from Uronarti fortress are ceramics.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Penacho |first=Susan |title=Deciphering Sealing Practices at Uronarti and Askut: a Spatial Analysis of the Built Environment and Individual Sealers |publisher=Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Chicago |year=2015}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
* [http://www.yare.org/essays/fortresses.htm article and map] |
|||
Some other items found at Uronarti include seal impressions, mud stamps, pottery, papyrus fragments, and stelae.<ref name=":8" /> Most papyrus fragments include only a few characters, and while they are thus largely illegible, they attest to the high level of documentation of the administrative activities of the fortress (see the [[Semna Despatches]] for better preserved records of this type of activity). The large number of sealings reflects administrative activities, and can track changes in leadership through the fort's use.<ref name=":8" /> |
|||
=== Site FC === |
|||
Site FC is an site some 250m south of the walls of the fortress.<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal |last1=Knoblauch |first1=Christian |last2=Bestock |first2=Laurel |date=2013 |title=The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey |journal=Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo |volume=69 |pages=103–42}}</ref> Discovered in 2012 and partly excavated in 2013 and 2015, it is significantly different from the fort although it appears to be contemporary with it.<ref name=":03" /> Occupying two low hills near the current east shore of the island, the site consists of the remains of at least 25 dry-stone huts constructed of local stone.<ref name=":23">[https://sites.brown.edu/urap/ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project]</ref> Some huts were single rooms, some more elaborate groupings of rooms. <ref name=":03" /> |
|||
One excavated hut had a hearth and a windbreak protecting large storage vessels.<ref name=":62">{{Cite web |last1=Bestock |first1=Laurel |last2=Knoblauch |first2=Christian |date=April 2015 |title=Living Beyond the Walls: new evidence for Egyptian Colonialism at Uronarti, Nubia |url=http://journal.antiquity.ac.uk/projgall/bestock344 |website=Antiquity}}</ref> This site was most likely contemporary with the early phase of the occupation of the fortress.<ref name=":62" /> |
|||
=== The "Campaign Palace" === |
|||
In addition to the fortress, Uronarti had some other mud brick constructions, the largest of which was a rectangular building that is discussed in scholarly literature as the "Campaign Palace".<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Dunham |first=Dows |title=Second Cataract Forts II: Uronarti, Shalfak, Mirgissa |publisher=Boston Museum of Fine Arts |year=1967}}</ref> Before the construction of Lake Nasser, this rectangular building was interpreted as a palace that the king could have stayed at while on campaign.<ref name=":1" /> However, there is little evidence to support this analysis. We can see this is a larger building than others, and that could have indicated status.<ref name=":022">{{Cite journal |last1=Knoblauch |first1=Christian |last2=Bestock |first2=Laurel |date=2013 |title=The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey |journal=Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo |volume=69 |pages=103–42}}</ref> Unfortunately, this area is annually flooded, so studying it can be difficult. The URAP conducted studies at low water to see how much of the "palace" remained, but results were inconclusive.<ref name=":022" /> |
|||
=== The Exterior Wall === |
|||
A massive boundary wall runs the length of the exterior, and extends several hundred meters to the south toward the Semna fortress. <ref name=":1" /> |
|||
== The Boundary Stela of Senusret III == |
|||
A near-duplicate of the text of the Semna stela of Senusret III was found at Uronarti by [[Georg Steindorff|Georg Steindorf]], [[Ludwig Borchardt]] and H. Schäfer.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Janssen |first=Jozef |date=1953 |title=The Stela (Khartoum Museum No. 3) from Uronarti |journal=Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Studies |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=51–5 |doi=10.1086/371111 |s2cid=162350775 |via=JSTOR}}</ref> The inscription states that Senusret III was victorious over a Nubian army, however it is not clear what in this record is militaristic propaganda, and what is recounting of historical events. A discussion, transcription, and translation were published by J. Janssen.<ref name=":7" /> The stela is currently housed in the [[National Museum of Sudan]].<ref name=":7" /> |
|||
== Similar Sites == |
|||
Many similar fortresses, such as [[Buhen]], [[Mirgissa]], [[Shalfak]], [[Askut]], [[Dabenarti]], [[Semna (Nubia)|Semna]], and [[Kumma (Nubia)|Kumma]], were established within signaling distance of each other.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Wegner |first=Josef |date=1995 |title=Regional Control in Middle Kingdom Lower Nubia |journal=Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt |volume=32 |pages=144–9 |doi=10.2307/40000835 |jstor=40000835}}</ref> Most of the fortresses are now beneath Lake Nasser, however areal surveillance has provided recent views of these sites.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Welsby |first=Derek |date=2004 |title=Hidden Treasures of Lake Nubia |journal=Sudan and Nubia |volume=8 |pages=103–4}}</ref> |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
https://sites.brown.edu/urap/ |
|||
== See Also == |
|||
[[Buhen]] |
|||
[[Mirgissa]] |
|||
[[Shalfak]] |
|||
[[Askut]] |
|||
[[Dabenarti]] |
|||
[[Semna (Nubia)|Semna]] |
|||
[[Kumma (Nubia)|Kumma]] |
|||
[[Semna Despatches|Semna Dispatches]] |
|||
| ⚫ | |||
{{Reflist}} |
|||
{{Authority control}} |
|||
{{coord|21|31|33|N|30|59|25|E|type:landmark_region:SD-01_dim:130_source:dewiki|display=title}} |
|||
[[Category:History of Nubia]] |
[[Category:History of Nubia]] |
||
Latest revision as of 21:47, 25 November 2024
 Uronarti. | |
  Shown within Sudan | |
| Location | Northern, Sudan |
|---|---|
| Region | Middle Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 21°31′33″N 30°59′25″E / 21.52583°N 30.99028°E |
| Type | Fortress |
Uronarti is an island and archaeological site in the Nile just south of the Second Cataract in the north of Sudan. The site features a massive ancient fortress that still stands on its northern end. This fortress is one of many constructed along the Nile in Lower Nubia during the Middle Kingdom, beginning under the reign of Senusret I.
This site was thought to be submerged under Lake Nasser, however parts remain above water and recently seen the establishment of new archaeological projects.[1] The discoveries of the project include an extramural settlement contemporary with the fortress, called Site FC, and further details on the settlement itself.[1]
Archaeological Research
[edit]Uronarti has been researched for over 100 years.[2] Uronarti was first excavated by British archaeologist Noel F. Wheeler under the nominal supervision of George Andrew Reisner in 1924. [3] The results of these excavations were published by Dows Dunham.[3]
After the Aswan High Dam was built, it believed that this site was submerged under Lake Nasser. Recently, the fortress was recently rediscovered by Derek Welsby.[2] In 2012, the Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project (URAP) was formed by Dr Laurel Bestock and Dr Christian Knoblauch to investigate Uronarti.[1] The project, which is ongoing, focuses on colonial relations and the lived experience of ancient people on Uronarti and in the surrounding region. [4]
The Fortress
[edit]The triangular shaped fortress of Uronarti is situated high on a rocky island, where it took advantage of the narrow passage of the Nile River in an area with the modern name Batn-El-Hajar - the Belly of Rocks.[5] Conforming closely to the topography, the fort is an example of the Terrain type of Middle Kingdom forts. It was largely constructed of sun-dried mud brick.[6]
The initial mapping of Uronarti was completed by Dows Dunham.[3] The interior of the fortress has streets paved with stone.[3] Sections of the fort include large granaries, buildings thought to be an administrative center, a governor's house, and barracks.[7][3] The barracks are similar in plan to small houses known at other Middle Kingdom settlements that were planned by the state[6] Many of the buildings inside the fortress saw substantial modifications over time, indicating shifts in both social life and administration.[4] The ceramics from dumps at Uronarti suggest an occupation history into the very late Middle Kingdom or very early Second Intermediate Period, but not beyond.[6]
Aside from the architecture itself, the overwhelming majority of archaeological finds from Uronarti fortress are ceramics.[8]
Some other items found at Uronarti include seal impressions, mud stamps, pottery, papyrus fragments, and stelae.[8] Most papyrus fragments include only a few characters, and while they are thus largely illegible, they attest to the high level of documentation of the administrative activities of the fortress (see the Semna Despatches for better preserved records of this type of activity). The large number of sealings reflects administrative activities, and can track changes in leadership through the fort's use.[8]
Site FC
[edit]Site FC is an site some 250m south of the walls of the fortress.[9] Discovered in 2012 and partly excavated in 2013 and 2015, it is significantly different from the fort although it appears to be contemporary with it.[9] Occupying two low hills near the current east shore of the island, the site consists of the remains of at least 25 dry-stone huts constructed of local stone.[10] Some huts were single rooms, some more elaborate groupings of rooms. [9]
One excavated hut had a hearth and a windbreak protecting large storage vessels.[11] This site was most likely contemporary with the early phase of the occupation of the fortress.[11]
The "Campaign Palace"
[edit]In addition to the fortress, Uronarti had some other mud brick constructions, the largest of which was a rectangular building that is discussed in scholarly literature as the "Campaign Palace".[3] Before the construction of Lake Nasser, this rectangular building was interpreted as a palace that the king could have stayed at while on campaign.[3] However, there is little evidence to support this analysis. We can see this is a larger building than others, and that could have indicated status.[12] Unfortunately, this area is annually flooded, so studying it can be difficult. The URAP conducted studies at low water to see how much of the "palace" remained, but results were inconclusive.[12]
The Exterior Wall
[edit]A massive boundary wall runs the length of the exterior, and extends several hundred meters to the south toward the Semna fortress. [3]
The Boundary Stela of Senusret III
[edit]A near-duplicate of the text of the Semna stela of Senusret III was found at Uronarti by Georg Steindorf, Ludwig Borchardt and H. Schäfer.[13] The inscription states that Senusret III was victorious over a Nubian army, however it is not clear what in this record is militaristic propaganda, and what is recounting of historical events. A discussion, transcription, and translation were published by J. Janssen.[13] The stela is currently housed in the National Museum of Sudan.[13]
Similar Sites
[edit]Many similar fortresses, such as Buhen, Mirgissa, Shalfak, Askut, Dabenarti, Semna, and Kumma, were established within signaling distance of each other.[14] Most of the fortresses are now beneath Lake Nasser, however areal surveillance has provided recent views of these sites.[2]
External Links
[edit]See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project
- ^ a b c Welsby, Derek (2004). "Hidden Treasures of Lake Nubia". Sudan and Nubia. 8: 103–4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Dunham, Dows (1967). Second Cataract Forts II: Uronarti, Shalfak, Mirgissa. Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
- ^ a b Knoblauch, Christian; Bestock, Laurel (2017). "Evolving Communities: the Egyptian fortress on Uronarti in the Late Middle Kingdom". Sudan and Nubia. 21: 50–8.
- ^ Bestock, Laurel; Knoblauch, Christian (April 2015). "Living Beyond the Walls: new evidence for Egyptian Colonialism at Uronarti, Nubia". Antiquity.
- ^ a b c Knoblauch, Christian; Bestock, Laurel (2013). "The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey". Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo. 69: 103–42.
- ^ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project
- ^ a b c Penacho, Susan (2015). Deciphering Sealing Practices at Uronarti and Askut: a Spatial Analysis of the Built Environment and Individual Sealers. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Chicago.
- ^ a b c Knoblauch, Christian; Bestock, Laurel (2013). "The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey". Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo. 69: 103–42.
- ^ Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project
- ^ a b Bestock, Laurel; Knoblauch, Christian (April 2015). "Living Beyond the Walls: new evidence for Egyptian Colonialism at Uronarti, Nubia". Antiquity.
- ^ a b Knoblauch, Christian; Bestock, Laurel (2013). "The Uronarti Regional Archaeological Project: final report of the 2012 survey". Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Kairo. 69: 103–42.
- ^ a b c Janssen, Jozef (1953). "The Stela (Khartoum Museum No. 3) from Uronarti". Journal of Ancient Near Eastern Studies. 12 (1): 51–5. doi:10.1086/371111. S2CID 162350775 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Wegner, Josef (1995). "Regional Control in Middle Kingdom Lower Nubia". Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt. 32: 144–9. doi:10.2307/40000835. JSTOR 40000835.
| International | |
|---|---|
| Geographic | |
