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Ethnohistories from Upper Nile South Sudan: Archaeology, ethnoarchaeology, ethnography, and history
Else Johansen Kleppe
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This book presents the results of archaeological and ethnohistorical fieldwork in the Renk area (now in South Sudan) between 1975 and 1983 at the sites of Debbat El Eheima, Debbat Bangdit, and Debbat Alali. Radiocarbon dates from Debbat El Eheima indicated a time span of 1800–600 BCE, whereas those from Debbat Bangdit indicated 400–1600 CE. Small iron objects from Debbat El Eheima associated with these dates suggest early settlement (1100–800 BCE) but not necessarily iron production. Excavations at Debbat El Eheima and Debbat Bangdit revealed parts of graves and one complete infant grave. Potsherds used as grave covers suggested burial and subsequent memorial rituals. Pottery classification indicated some distinctive types, which are illustrated in this book. Despite their time difference, Debbat El Eheima and Debbat Bangdit showed shared features, and links with historical and ethnographic evidence and other documentation suggest a broader sociocultural affiliation that can be called a Nilotic great tradition.
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Cover
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Title page
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Copyright page
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African Archaeology subseries page
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Titles in the Series
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Of Related Interest
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Acknowledgements
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Contents
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List of Maps
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List of Figures
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List of Tables
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Preface
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Abstract
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Contextual notes
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1. Perspectives
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1.1. Approach and theoretical considerations
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1.2. Propositions and data
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1.2.1. Ceramics
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1.2.2. Lithic objects
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1.2.3. Iron objects
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1.2.4. Personal adornments
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1.2.5. Miscellaneous
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1.2.6. Osteological material
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1.2.7. Human skeletal remains
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1.3. Ethnographic and ethnoarchaeological documentation
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2. Geography of the Upper Nile Valley
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2.1. Geology, soil, and topography
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2.2. The White Nile and other waterways
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2.3. Climate and natural vegetation
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2.4. Settlements and place names
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2.5. The environment during the last 4,000 years
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3. Archaeological sites investigated
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3.1. The Malakal survey (UN 1–22)
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3.2. Trial excavation at Debbat Alali (UN 23)
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3.3. Excavation at Debbat El Eheima (UN 24)
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3.3.1. Grave 1 (squares 1–2, strata 3–9)
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3.3.2. Grave 2 (squares 5–7, strata 3–7 and squares 5–6, strata 8–9)
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3.3.3. Grave 3 (square 4, strata 3–6; possible grave)
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3.4. Summary: Grave remains from Debbat El Eheima
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3.5. Other documentation from the excavation at Debbat El Eheima
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3.6. Excavation at Debbat Bangdit (UN 25)
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3.6.1. Grave 4 (squares 2–3, strata 6–9)
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3.6.2. Grave 5 (square 2, strata 12–19; square 1, strata 14–17; and square 3, strata 17)
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3.6.3. Grave 6 (squares 4–5, strata 3–18 and square 6, strata 12–13)
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3.6.4. Grave 7 (squares 4–6, strata 19–21)
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3.6.5. Grave 8 (squares 6–7, strata 7–11)
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3.6.6. Grave 9 (squares 6–7, strata 16–19 and square 5, stratum 18)
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3.6.7. Grave 10 (square 1, strata 4–5; possible grave)
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3.6.8. Grave 11 (squares 6–7, strata 21–27; possible grave)
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3.7. Summary: Grave remains from Debbat Bangdit
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3.8. Note on differences in soil consistency
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3.9. Preliminary conclusions
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4. Classifications, analyses, and interpretations
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4.1. Archaeological material analysed
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4.2. Classification and identification
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4.3. Classification of ceramic material
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4.4. Potsherds
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4.4.1. Debbat Alali
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4.4.2. Debbat El Eheima
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4.4.3. Debbat Bangdit
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4.5. Assessment of the ceramic pot material
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4.6. Beads
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4.7. Ceramic ring fragments from Debbat El Eheima
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4.8. Lithic material
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4.9. Iron objects
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4.9.1. Debbat El Eheima
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4.9.2. Debbat Bangdit
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4.10. Miscellaneous
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4.11. Osteological material
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4.12. Plant foods for people and their animals
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4.13. Conclusions
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4.13.1. Early use of small iron objects at Debbat El Eheima
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4.13.2. Ritual burial of a cattle skull at Debbat El Eheima
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4.13.3. Variations in burial and subsequent memorial rituals
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5. Ethnohistories in the Upper White Nile Valley
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5.1. Towards a chronology
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5.2. Early use of small iron objects
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5.3. Ethnohistories and great traditions
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5.4. Burial traditions
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5.4.1. Debbat El Eheima
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5.4.2. Debbat Bangdit
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5.4.3. Pots and potsherds in grave and burial rituals
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5.5. Traditional animal and plant foods
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5.6. Glimpses of everyday village life
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5.7. Prospects for future past-oriented studies
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Appendix 1. Archaeological discoveries in the Blue Nile area in southern Sudan prior to the 1970s
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Reports from Bahr el Ghazal and the Upper Nile
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The Wellcome excavations in Sudan
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The Jebel Moya excavations
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Abu Geili and other archaeological sites in the Wellcome scheme
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Later contributions
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Renewed interest in southern Sudan archaeology in the 1970s
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References
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Appendix 2. Carbon-14 dates from Debbat El Eheima and Debbat Bangdit
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Samples from Debbat El Eheima (UN 24)
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Square, 11 stratum 18 (T-5344)
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Square 11, stratum 17 (T-4811)
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Square 9, stratum 16 (T-5032)
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Square 12, stratum 12 (T-5343)
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Square 12, stratum 7 (T-4562)
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Square 11, stratum 9 (T-5342)
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Square 12, stratum 5 (T-5341)
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Samples from Debbat Bangdit (UN 25)
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Square 1, stratum 16 (T-5065)
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Square 5, stratum 17 (T-5068)
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Square 1, stratum 17 (T-5064)
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Square 1, stratum 11 (T-5063)
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Square 4, stratum 14 (T-5067)
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Square 2, stratum 5 (T-5066)
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Summing up
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References
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Appendix 3. Human skeletal remains from Debbat El Eheima and Debbat Bangdit
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Debbat El Eheima (UN 24)
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Grave 1
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Grave 2
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Debbat Bangdit (UN 25)
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Grave 4: Individual I
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Grave 5: Individual II
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Grave 6: Individual III
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Grave 9: Individual IV
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Grave 8: Individual V
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Conclusions
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References
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Appendix 4. Human osteological material from Debbat El Eheima transferred from the Ghent collection to the University Museum of Bergen
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References
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Back cover
Citable Link
Published: 2024
Publisher: BAR Publishing
- 9781407361505 (ebook)
- 9781407361499 (paper)
BAR Number: S3179
- Bronze Age and Iron Age
- Egypt and Sudan
- Multiperiod
- Africa
- Ethnoarchaeology / Anthropology
- Archaeozoology / Bioarchaeology / Osteoarchaeology
- Ceramics and Pottery Studies
- Ritual / Religion / Temples
- Excavation / Fieldwork / Survey
- Early Modern and Modern
- Identity / Gender / Childhood / Ethnicity / Romanization
- Death / Burial / Cemeteries / Tombs