The Palace of Muweis and Its Medieval Necropolis

Summary

Muweis is located in the Shendi reach, about 300 kms north from the capital of Sudan, Khartoum. Its palace has been excavated by the Louvre Museum since 2007. It is part of the Meroitic Kingdom (350 BCE - 350 CE), which covered an area of 1500 kms on the Middle Nile Valley, making it the most important political structure known in Sub-Saharan Africa until the 19th century. In 2008 a medieval necropolis was discovered among the remains of the palace, under the debris of a small house situated at the top of the mound sheltering the monumental building.

Twenty-one graves were identified dating to the 13th century CE. The palace ruins give insight into the hierarchy (i.e., position) of the graves within the necropolis. Indeed, according to social status, the graves were dug in particular spots of the palace ruin. For example, grave F15, corresponding to the burial of the community leader, was placed at the very heart of the palace and covered by wooden beams, the only architectural feature recognizable in the necropolis. This presentation is dedicated to the archaeology and site description of this necropolis.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Life and Death in Ancient Nubia: Archaeological and Bioarchaeological Perspectives   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16723