(a): Polish-Sudanese excavations, cemetery 2, in layer of broken mudbricks covering the superstructure of a secondary (monastic) burial, dug into the earlier tomb Ghz-2-004 (b): unknown
Excavation no.
(a): Gh.2015.2.017A (b): not registered
Present location
(a): Gebel Barkal Museum, Karima
(b): Sudan National Museum, Khartoum
Museum no.
(a): not registered
(b): SNM 32115
Medium
stela
Technique
incised before firing
Type of text
epitaph
Language
Greek
Content
fragment of epitaph of Abraam, monk
Date
700–999
Notes
The provenance of fragment (b) was not recorded in the SNM register, but since it matches fragment (a), it must come from Ghazali. The circumstances of its discovery remain unknown, however.
core black, front red (margin) to grey (centre), back red
Text colour
Lines
6
Height of letters
2–2.3
Description
Two joining fragments of the central part of a plaque: (a) – right margin; (b) – left margin. The epigraphic field framed by an incised line, leaving margin of 1.5 cm on the left and 1.6–2 cm on the right.
Porous Nile clay with organic and mineral admixture (mica, quartzite).
Decorative elements
State of preservation
fragmentary; central part of stela with remains of six lines
blue-grey (traces of white lime mortar in conch; white stucco on decorative lettering)
Text colour
Lines
5
Height of letters
1.5-2.0
Description
roughly rectangular fragment of slab; epigraphic field framed by raised border in form of aedicula
Decorative elements
aedicula-type decoration: epigraphic field in form of sculptured niche or doorway, surrounded on left and right by columns with lotus (?) capitals, on which rests lintel supporting conch within arch; rim of conch decorated with crosses (?); cross in the center of conch; decorative lettering and two 'Solomon's knots' in flat surface on each side of conch
State of preservation
upper part with complete upper margin and portions of side ones; text destroyed in middle part
Abri-East district under the same number (24208) 3 pieces are registered: fr. A+B of I. Khartoum Copt. 25 (DBMNT 861) and I. Khartoum Copt. 26 (DBMNT 862), but the latter does not belong to the same stela
two non-joining fragments of round-topped stela; A (glued from 2 pieces): upper left part with rounded edge; B: fragment from left margin; epigraphic field framed by flat raised border (W: 3.0-3.5)
Decorative elements
State of preservation
fragmentary; A: fragment of upper left corner with beginnings of lines and portion of upper and left margins; B: beginnings of lines with portion of left margin
Abri-East district under the same number (24208) 3 pieces are registered: fr. A+B of I. Khartoum Copt. 25 (DBMNT 861) and I. Khartoum Copt. 26 (DBMNT 862), but the latter does not belong to the same stela
Material
terracotta
Object dimensions
H: 7; W: 8; Th: 3.0 (outer marg. 2.5)
Text dimensions
H: 7; W: 4
Object colour
red-brown
Text colour
Lines
3
Height of letters
1.5-2.0
Description
fragment of stela; epigraphic field framed by inscribed raised frame; flat, lowered outer margin (W: c. 2.5); line 3 written on the outer margin
Vila 1984, p. 228 (no. 2-V-6/S/1, as from one stela with I. Khartoum Copt. 25 [DBMNT 861]), fig. 268 (top right), p. 238 (concordance, cited under old no. SNM 24149); Tsakos 2010a, p. 684 (no. 6)