Discovery of an ancient fortification in northern Sudan

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Periodical article

Title:	Discovery of an ancient fortification in northern Sudan
Author:	Kröpelin, Stefan
Year:	2006
Periodical:	Sahara: Prehistory and History of the Sahara
Volume:	17
Pages:	186-190
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Sudan
Subjects:	fortifications prehistory
Abstract:	This short note reports and illustrates the discovery of an ancient fortress during a geological survey in northern Sudan in March 2006. The fortress has been labelled 'Gala El Sheikh'. The major fortification was built on a flat-topped hill. On the surface of this hill numerous petroglyphs were found. The installations on the hill suggest military defences at a strategic position that were designed to house a garrison of professional soldiers. There is reason to suppose that Gala El Sheikh is related to the so-called Gala Abu Ahmed in Lower Wadi Howar. The construction of Gala Abu Ahmed goes back to the Napatan period, between 900 and 300 BCE, which might place Gala El Sheikh in the same period. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract]