Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100
Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional·Classical·🇸🇩 River Nile, Musawwarat, Sudan
About
About Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100
Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100 in River Nile, Musawwarat, Sudan is a Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional temple complex attributed to Classical. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal sanctuary 80 × 55 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.4210N 33.3250E controls access to River Nile resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey temple complex for River Nile, Musawwarat, illustrating Classical construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 450 BCE–100 CE
- Period
- Classical Antiquity (600 BCE–200 CE) or regional
- Culture
- Classical
- Purpose
- Sanctuary and ceremonial centre for state cult
- Rediscovered
- 1969 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 450 BCE–100 CE
Initial construction of Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100 main structure
c. 1909
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1969–2014
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.4210° N · 33.3250° E · 143 m · 3 mapped features
Musawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100 — Main Structure
structurePrincipal temple complex — Sanctuary 80 × 55 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
16.4218° N · 33.3259° EMusawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100 — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
16.4200° N · 33.3243° EMusawwarat es-Sufra Great Enclosure Temple 100 — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
16.4225° N · 33.3262° E