Re-evaluating Kush’s sacred landscape

350km north of Khartoum, Dangeil is situated in the Berber-Abidiya region of Sudan. It was a powerful royal city during the Kushite Period (7th century BC – 4th century AD) and is strategically situated at the hub of several trade routes. At some points, it bordered various Egyptian and medieval Nubian empires. However, a detailed scientific survey and study of the region has not yet been conducted, so the character, distribution and length of occupation here during different periods isn’t known.

Late Kushite culture included a mixture of Egyptian Pharaonic, Greco-Roman and indigenous sub-Saharan traditions. Several Kushite gods, such as Amun, were also ancient Egyptian gods, but little is known about Kushite indigenous deities, their temples and their worship practices. 

The well-preserved Amun temple complex at Dangeil provides a great opportunity to learn more about Kushite religious and cultural practices. By comparing structures and artefacts originating from excavated cultural contexts at the site, this project will enhance understanding of the Kushite period and interpretation of the collections of the British Museum and across Sudan.

Collaboration is central to this project, which has an international, interdisciplinary team that works closely with the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, Sudan, and the local community. Using sustainable methods to conserve, preserve and present the site and its artefacts is also an important component of the project.

This project will develop a sustainable programme to document, protect and conserve the site at Dangeil for the future and to protect it from modern development. It will also create a local museum and archaeological site park. It will achieve these goals by: 

• Providing training to local stakeholders to build capacity in archaeological excavation and documentation, and in conservation methods and techniques to create a trained and sustainable local workforce to work at the site.
• Using affordable locally sourced materials and local technical knowledge combined with cutting-edge conservation techniques.
• Promoting an understanding of the site’s cultural significance by working with the local community and making the site accessible to visitors.
• Sharing research findings with the public and academic community through journal articles, books and lectures and booklets in English and Arabic.

The excellent preservation of this unique temple complex makes the site an important part of the country’s cultural heritage. Key discoveries from this project so far include:

Sorghum: archaeobotanical analyses of temple-offering moulds identified the grain sorghum which indicates that porridge or beer was offered to Amun in Kush, instead of wheat or barley bread as was found in ancient Egypt. Some objects and architecture in Kush resemble those of ancient Egypt, but their function may have differed, so previous Egyptocentric interpretations of Kushite culture need re-examination.

Statue fragments of early Kushite kings: a surprise discovery within the late 1st century AD temple, these fragments indicate that Dangeil was under royal control in the early 7th century BC. They document the expansion of the Kushite empire southwards; however, the rate of this expansion and the kingdom’s southern boundary are not known. 

Monumental round building: located in the sacred complex, its unusual shape and function aren’t understood. It could be a shrine to a local god. Many indigenous gods and the associated religious practices remain unclear or unknown – future excavation of the building’s interior may reveal some answers. 

Project supporter

Supported by

• Qatar-Sudan Archaeological Project (QSAP) – Qatar Museums, Qatar, and the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, Sudan
• The Institute for Bioarchaeology